Manchester United have been given a deadline to complete a move for Chelsea star Mason Mount this summer, according to a report.
United boss Erik ten Hag has targeted the signing of Mount to bolster his midfield options for next season.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the England midfielder would play a similar role to the one that Christian Eriksen currently occupies if he moves to Old Trafford.
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And United have already launched a £40 million bid for the 24-year-old. However, Chelsea rejected the offer.
Mount has one year left on his existing Blues contract. Talks, which have reportedly been led by club co-owner Todd Boehly, have taken place, but the Three Lions star is yet to commit to fresh terms.
The main sticking point is the asking price. Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Chelsea will not accept less than €80 million (around £68 million) for one of their key players.
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But, according to a report, they may have little choice but to sell if United get anywhere close to that fee.
Man Utd given 'deadline' for Mount transfer
According to The Athletic, Chelsea are set to make a sizeable loss on player trading (incomings and outgoings) over the most recent Financial Fair Play (FFP).
They can reduce these losses by selling players. However, they must do so by June 30 for any sales to count as part of the current season's calculations.
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If sales are made after that date, they would be counted within the next FFP period - and it appears unlikely the club will sanction a spending spree like the one that occurred this season.
Chelsea spent over £500 million on players over the course of the season, including on the acquisition for Enzo Fernandez for a British transfer record fee of £106.8 million. In FFP terms, the fee is essentially spread out over instalments across the Argentinian's eight-and-a-half-year contract, lessening the impact on the overall balance.
But an acceptable United offer for Mount could well see the Chelsea academy graduate sold this summer - and with Arsenal showing a keen interest in Blues attacking midfielder Kai Havertz, both players could net the London club a much-needed significant amount of money.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy / AP Photo/David Cliff / Gary Oakley/Sportimage / Mark Pain/Alamy Live NewsTopics: Todd Boehly, Premier League, Chelsea, Mason Mount, Erik Ten Hag, Transfers, Manchester United, England