The £70m transfer dilemma threatening to wreck Man Utd’s summer spending plans

The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Manchester United trying to sign central midfielders; just a few of the great sagas of our time. Some of us are old enough to remember the Red Devils chasing Frenkie de Jong for the entirety of last summer in much the same way that a hyperactive labrador might chase a Ford Transit. They were never, ever going to catch him, but boy, did they convince themselves otherwise.

If United aren’t careful, they’re going to fall into a similar trap with Mason Mount. I’ve written about the Chelsea academy graduate before, and not that long ago. Back at the beginning of June, The Guardian reported that Erik ten Hag’s side had agreed personal terms with the 24-year-old, and that they were firmly installed as pack leaders in the race to secure his services this summer. At the time, I argued that it would be a fine, fine move for United to complete, and the kind of clumsy oversight that could come back to toe-punt Todd Boehly scarely in his perfect, perfect teeth.

And I stand by that, wholeheartedly. I think it’s either wildly unfortunate or utterly unhinged that Chelsea have been stranded in a position whereby they have to sell Mount in the coming weeks, or risk losing him for nothing this time next year. He might not have had the best campaign - who at Stamford Bridge has? - but the England international is a player of real pedigree and potential who still has his best years ahead of him, and one who could come to represent a considerable fumble - especially if he were to join such a notable rival, like Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic before him in years gone by.

Since the news of United’s interest broke a fortnight ago, however, things look to have stagnated a little. Sky Sports revealed on Thursday that Chelsea had ‘immediately rejected’ a bid of around £40 million for Mount from the Red Devils, and went on to suggest that there is a ‘big gap’ in the two clubs’ valuation of the midfielder. A fee of around £70 million as previously been touted from other quarters. And this is where United need to be cautious.

What they can’t afford to do, as they did last summer with De Jong, is get drawn into a tense, protracted negotiation that ultimately goes nowhere. Granted, they landed on their feet when they were able to salvage a deal for Casemiro at the last, but relying on such eleventh hour hijinks again would be very, very risky.

The need for decisiveness is only heightened by the swiftness with which other clubs around them are already acting too; Liverpool confirmed the signing of Alexis Mac Allister last week, while Newcastle United are understood to be closing in on a £50 million swoop for Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella. There are other targets out there, but if United hesitate for too long or get bogged down pursuing a lost cause, they could be left clutching the proverbial wooden spoon.

That’s not to say that they should abandon the Mount talks after one failed bid, or anything that drastic. But equally, they need to be willing to walk away at the right time, and they must be astute enough to keep other options open. The last thing United can afford is to become hamstrung by fixation.