Manchester United's third bid for midfielder Mason Mount remains on the table, but the club are looking at alternatives after becoming frustrated with Chelsea's approach.
United made a third offer worth an initial £50million for Mount last week, with a further £5million due in add-ons, but Chelsea have now rejected every bid for the 24-year-old, who is out of contract next summer.
The Blues are holding out for £65million for the England international and have told United they would accept £58million, with £7million in add-ons. They have also suggested holding face-to-face talks to try and resolve the impasse.
But United have consistently said they have a limit when it comes to signing Mount, who wants to join the club and could leave Chelsea for free next summer. While the third offer remains available to Chelsea, they have no plans to hold face-to-face talks.
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United have already seen bids worth £45million and £50million rejected by Chelsea and there is frustration at their stance, given Mount's contract situation.
They dealt quickly to agree a £25million fee with Manchester City for Mateo Kovacic, who was also out of contract next summer, and last year paid City £47.5million for Raheem Sterling, who was in the same situation as Mount.
While Erik ten Hag has made Mount his top priority, having admired the midfielder since his loan spell with Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie in 2017/18, he is accepting of the situation and United are now looking at alternative targets.
That includes Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, who United tried to sign in January 2021 while he was still playing in Ecuador for Independiente del Valle, only to walk away from a deal because of the number of agents claiming to be involved in the transfer.
Caicedo has since thrived in the Premier League at Brighton, but he wanted to move to Arsenal in January and is also of interest to Chelsea this summer. The 21-year-old would be more expensive than Mount and could cost around £80million, but there is an acceptance at United that his age and contract status make it a different deal.
United could also move again for free agent Adrien Rabiot, having tried to sign the France international a year ago when he was at Juventus. They agreed a £15million deal for the midfielder, but the move collapsed due to Rabiot's wage demands.
Talks are also continuing with David de Gea as the Spaniard enters the final week of his £375,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford. The goalkeeper will leave the club on Friday if a new contract isn't agreed and while the chances of the 32-year-old staying have receded in recent weeks, it is understood there is still the possibility of an agreement being reached this week.
The talks could also continue beyond Friday if no deal is reached this week. United are keen to sign another goalkeeper this summer and although De Gea will officially be a free agent this weekend, he has been able to discuss a move with clubs overseas since January 1.
