Manchester United is reportedly frustrated with Chelsea's attitude towards Mason Mount and is instead eyeing a new midfield target.
On Friday night, the West London club rejected United's third and final take-it-or-leave bid for the contract rebel to leave on a free transfer next summer.
The bid was for £50m plus £5m in surcharges up front, but Chelsea countered with an offer of £65m, a fee United were unwilling to pay.
The Red Devils hierarchy has made it clear that if Chelsea continues to play hardball they will walk away from the deal and that despite offers to meet in person they have kept their word. According to The Times, United has now given up on chasing Mount and will sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo instead.
United are understood to resent the way Chelsea has approached negotiations for Mount - particularly the regular press conferences - and feel they are "taxed on by Manchester United".
They hinted at Manchester City's impending deal for Mateo Kovacic - worth £25m up front and £5m in co-pays - which is less than half of what they wanted for Mount, although both players have in recent years had Caicedo's contracts significantly overstated. expensive than Mount and likely to cost around £80m, but United believe it is a fairer transfer fee for the player who recently signed a contract extension until 2028.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi previously stated he would not stand in the way of Caicedo if a big club made a suitable bid for the Ecuadorian, who wants to try his hand at the Champions League.
Caicedo is also three years younger than Mount and United believe a transfer fee of around £80 million would be appropriate for a player with big potential and a long-term contract. However, United will defend their £55m bid for Mount if Chelsea changes their minds about his position.
If no other club pursues the England international this summer, the Blues risk losing their academy graduate for nothing next summer while he could begin talks with overseas clubs in January.
They won't have much time to decide whether to lower their stance, however, as United is looking to wrap up a transfer deal quickly and avoid a long and drawn-out saga.
Although manager Erik ten Hag is a big fan of Mount and would like to add him to his squad, he agreed with United's hierarchy not to overpay for players and was happy to join Caicedo.
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