Chelsea have rejected an opening £40million bid from Manchester United for Mason Mount.
The Blues value their 24-year-old midfielder at £70m despite him having just one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
United are expected to return with further offers for the England international, who they see as their primary midfield target this summer.
They are cautious about paying such a price for Mount and they believe he does want to join the Old Trafford outfit.
Mount increasingly wants to leave Chelsea having become disillusioned with the handling of his contract negotiations. Several offers have been rejected, including a one-year extension featuring a substantial pay rise back in February.
No contract offers have been made since and the situation is pointing towards Chelsea and United ultimately agreeing a deal for Mount’s transfer this summer.
Chelsea are facing approaches from rivals for their players on numerous fronts. Kai Havertz has interest from Arsenal and Mateo Kovacic is in talks to join Manchester City.
Brighton have had a £30m bid rejected for talented defender Levi Colwill, who was recently promoted to Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad for the first time.
The Seagulls are expected to put forward a further bid of around £40m in the coming days. Man City and Liverpool are monitoring the 20-year-old but Chelsea insist that he is not for sale.
