Manchester United trying Aaron Wan-Bissaka tactic to win battle to sign key target

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Manchester United are following a familiar strategy amid ongoing negotiations for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.

Manchester United’s long-awaited first bid for Mason Mount was turned down, The Telegraph reported.

And it was swiftly followed up by a threat from Manchester United to start looking elsewhere.

Sky Sports reported: “Manchester United are looking at a number of options” with alternatives being considered. We aren’t buying it.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loans, releases, youth for 2023/24

Manchester United will persist with Mason Mount chase

The only surprise with this threat to move elsewhere, is that it has come so early in these negotiations.

United’s offer of £40 million was never going to be accepted. But it did show that the club are starting low, and have no intention of going near Chelsea’s £70 million demands.

A compromise of around £55 million is expected. Both sides will posture, with United claiming they will walk away, while Chelsea will argue they will force Mount to see out his contract.

This early in the transfer window, there is plenty of reason to believe a compromise will be reached. This has worked for United before.

United’s tried and tested negotiations

This is all part of the game Manchester United are playing. We saw this exact scenario play out in 2019 over Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Talksport reported how United’s opening offer of £40 million was rejected, with Crystal Palace holding out for £65 million.

Sky Sports then reported: “Manchester United are interested in signing Norwich City defender Max Aarons if their move for Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is unsuccessful.”

A week or so later, Manchester United concluded a deal for Wan-Bissaka at £50 million.

United clearly hope history will repeat itself for Mason Mount, and there is reason to believe the club will do everything possible to land the Chelsea midfielder.

Obviously, at some stage, you do have to consider alternatives, but on the first day of the transfer window, we aren’t buying the claims United will switch elsewhere.