Man Utd add Chelsea star to wanted list as Todd Boehly names steep fee to ward off Ten Hag

James Marshment 09 Mar 2023 3:54 PM

Todd Boehly Chelsea co-owner — Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly at Stamford Bridge

Manchester United’s summer list of transfer targets is now thought to include a quality Chelsea star threatening to leave this summer – but Todd Boehly is not willing to let the player leave without a fight.

The Red Devils are upwardly mobile under Erik ten Hag after recently ending their six-year wait to win a trophy. And they could yet add to their haul with United among the favourites to savour glory in both the FA Cup and Europa League.

It’s perhaps safe to say that the Dutchman has performed better than initially expected upon his appointment. Indeed, even finishing in the Champions League places was at one stage considered ambitious. However, they remain very much on track to secure a top-four finish, with plans already afoot for their biggest summer spending spree yet.

To that end, Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk claims United are clearing Ten Hag to land an astonishing triple coup.

Indeed, the United boss has three main positions he would like to strengthen: attack, midfield and at right-back.

While plenty of debate has been had over which striker United should go for – and it seems a £106m-rated Portugal star is now their favourite – little is known about the identity of the midfielder.

Indeed, Ten Hag has been strongly linked with the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Adrien Rabiot; two players who could come in and operate alongside Casemiro in centre midfield.

However, there is a growing school of thought that Ten Hag wants to bring in another attacking midfielder. Daichi Kamada, a one-to-be free agent was has been mentioned in that regard.

Man Utd add Mason Mount to wanted list

However, their wanted list has now swelled by one more player after a trusted source suggested a Chelsea star was also on their radar.

And according to The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, United are now on the trail of Mason Mount.

The England star is in the final 16 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge. And efforts to tie him to an extension have so far failed to see an agreement reached.

Mount is reportedly seeking pay parity with his close friend and fellow Chelsea academy graduate, Reece James. However, the Blues are yet to match his £250,000 a week wages, leading to claims that Mount could move on.

Indeed, the situation is beginning to cause some concern to Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly. And the American has drawn a line in the sand over any player entering the final year of their contracts. As such, players in such a position will be put up for sale should an agreement not be reached.

Citing the loss of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, Boehly is adamant Chelsea will not be stung again.

However, that does not mean he will allow Mount to leave on the cheap either – and especially not to a side considered top-four rivals.

Per Steinberg, Boehly will be looking for a fee of around £50m for Mount if Manchester United come calling this summer.

That certainly looks a steep price to pay for a player entering the final year of his contract.

However, Steinberg hints that even that fee might not deter Ten Hag. And with the player viewed as a cheaper alternative to Jude Bellingham, the journalist claims United are monitoring Mount’s situation closely before considering a possible summer approach.

Mason Mount Todd Boehly