Manchester United are reportedly considering offering Harry Maguire to Chelsea as part of a deal that would take Mason Mount in the opposite direction to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have allegedly already come to an agreement with Mount over personal terms, and the club are now said to be preparing to approach Chelsea to discuss a transfer.
Mount is out of contract next summer and is believed to be keen on a switch to the Red Devils, but Chelsea's valuation of the England international is causing problems.
The Blues are thought to want as much as £80m for the playmaker, but Man United are not believed to be willing to go over £55m due to his contract situation at Stamford Bridge.
According to The Sun, Maguire, who is widely expected to leave the 20-time English champions this summer, could potentially be used as a makeweight in a bid to drive Chelsea's price down.
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Man United paid in the region of £80m for Maguire in the summer of 2019, but it has been suggested that his valuation has now dropped to around £30m.
There is unlikely to be a shortage of interest in the Englishman, with a number of Italian clubs believed to be considering making moves during the summer market.
Meanwhile, there have been claims that West Ham United and Newcastle United are both keen to keep him in the Premier League.
Maguire's wage packet of £190,000 a week is likely to make it difficult for Man United to sell him, though, and it has been claimed that the Red Devils could hand the centre-back a £10m pay-off in order to leave.
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The 30-year-old only started eight Premier League matches during the 2022-23 campaign and is expected to be on the bench for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof are all currently ahead of Maguire in the pecking order when it comes to the spots in the middle of the defence, while Luke Shaw has also been used ahead of him in that area this term despite being primarily a left-back.
Mount's situation is different, as incoming Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino is said to be keen to keep him, but the attacker has allegedly now decided to seek pastures new this summer.
The 24-year-old found it difficult to show his best form for the Blues during the 2022-23 campaign, only managing three goals and six assists in 35 appearances.
However, the England international struggled with injury in the second half of the season and was on the sidelines for the final weeks due to a pelvic operation.
Matt Law
