Mail Sport reported that Mount, an academy graduate at Stamford Bridge, is wanted by United, although there remains a sizeable difference over his valuation.

He is said to have agreed personal terms ahead of a likely move in the current window and talks between both clubs are expected to continue.

Kovacic, meanwhile, has been given permission to speak to Premier League champions City and is believed to be keen to work under Pep Guardiola. 

Loftus-Cheek may also leave to free up room in Mauricio Pochettino's squad, and Serie A giants AC Milan have identified him as a key target for their looming rebuild. 

Mason Mount is one of several Chelsea midfielders expected to leave the club this summer

Mateo Kovacic has been given permission to speak with champions Manchester City

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is being targeted by AC Milan as part of their looming squad rebuild

Conor Gallagher is also a wanted man and N'Golo Kante's contract expires at the end of the month. 

With several players expected to make way, Chelsea will also splash the cash. They had targeted Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte but were priced out of a deal. 

There is interest in Moises Caicedo, who has been told he will be allowed to leave Brighton this summer after they rebuffed bids from Chelsea and Arsenal in January.

Brighton want at least £80m for Caicedo, who is also on the wishlists of Arsenal and Manchester United.

Southampton's Romeo Lavia is also admired by the same three clubs plus Liverpool. Southampton are expected to demand £40m-£50m for the Belgian youngster.

As well as trying to trim their wage bill, Chelsea are also trying to cut the size of their squad and a number of other players could therefore exit Stamford Bridge.

Kai Havertz is wanted by Real Madrid, while Chelsea rejected a £30m offer from Brighton for defender Levi Colwill and have also knocked back an approach worth around £15m from Burnley for left back Ian Maatsen who they value at £20m.

Brighton's Moises Caicedo (left) is on Chelsea's shortlist but will cost at least £80million

Maatsen spent last season on loan at Burnley, impressing in Vincent Kompany's Championship-winning side.

But in a setback for Pochettino, Chelsea missed out on securing a deal for Ugarte.

Following confirmation of his appointment last week, Pochettino was especially pushing to bring the midfielder to Stamford Bridge from Sporting Lisbon and involved in discussions as Chelsea tried to win the race for his signature.

However, Chelsea performed a U-turn and withdrew from the pursuit for the 22-year-old Uruguayan after deciding not to increase their already significant bid or match the terms on offer from Paris Saint-Germain and go well beyond what they considered market rate.

Both clubs were prepared to meet Ugarte's £52m release clause and he was thought to have been keen on a move to Chelsea.

Chelsea and Pochettino were hoping to add both Ugarte and Caicedo to January signing Enzo Fernandez this summer, with the trio forming the basis of their new-look central midfield options.

The Blues have confirmed a deal has been agreed with Caicedo's former club Independiente del Valle for highly-rated Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez, 16, to join them after his 18th birthday in May 2025.

The Blues have been priced out of a move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte