Man Utd ‘steal a march’ on Arsenal, Liverpool as they prepare £55m bid for ‘primary summer target’

Man Utd are ready to start talks to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount in order to get ahead of the competition, according to reports.

The Red Devils are looking to strengthen a number of areas of their team with Erik ten Hag looking to build on a positive first season at the club.

Ten Hag has already won the Carabao Cup this season and is on the verge of leading them back into the Champions League, while they also have an FA Cup final against neighbours Man City in June.

Widespread reports have claimed that a striker is their main priority this summer .

However, the Daily Mail now claims that Chelsea midfielder Mount is now ‘his primary summer target’ with the report adding that Man Utd ‘are launching a £55million swoop’ for the England international.

Ten Hag ‘wants a deal wrapped up quickly’ for Mount as Man Utd look to ‘steal a march’ .

Mount is about to enter the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge with rumours that Chelsea are yet to match his terms for staying at the club.

And it now seems likely that he will depart Chelsea for another Premier League with Todd Boehly looking to sell Mount if he keeps turning down their renewal offers.

On the Red Devils’ pursuit of Mount, the Daily Mail add:

‘Old Trafford sources have indicated that talks over a move for the 24-year-old are set to commence.

‘United want to pay in the region of £55m for Mount, a price that falls way below Chelsea’s £85m valuation.’

‘United may be prepared to increase their initial valuation of Mount given Ten Hag’s determination to add the attacker to his ranks next season.’

Frank Lampard insisted at the end of April that he was unsure whether Mount’s future was at Chelsea or elsewhere when asked by reporters.

“I don’t know the answer to that, it’s a conversation between Mason and the club, so I don’t know,” Lampard explained.

“It’s not final at this point and we’ll have to see because those conversations are ongoing.

“And we could have done with him in the games we’ve played already this season.

“But the bigger picture is something that’s going to become clearer in the next weeks and months, and that will be the club and Mason together having conversations.”