Why Arsenal turned down the chance to complete Mount transfer amid Havertz offer

Arsenal transfer news as the Gunners held an initial interest in Chelsea star Mason Mount but then moved to make a bid for Kai Havertz instead

Mason Mount's future at Chelsea is up in the air. The Blues academy graduate looks set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, or potentially next summer on a free transfer, after talks over a new contract broke down.

Mount, who has twice won the club's player of the season award, came through the ranks in west London and quickly established himself as a mainstay in the first team under Frank Lampard and then Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.

However, after initial talks over extending his deal with the Blues, negotiations broke down when a one-year deal was put on the table after the World Cup in Qatar.

It looks for all the world as if Mount will leave his boyhood club, with Manchester United interested in signing the 24-year-old. However, the transfer fee may prove to be a sticking point.

Arsenal could have been a destination for Mount it seems, though. According to transfer guru David Ornstein, Arsenal were interested in Mount but pivoted to Kai Havertz instead.

Much like with Mount, the Blues want £70million, but with two years left on his contract, Arsenal value him at a considerably lower fee. And the reason Arsenal moved on to Havertz instead of Mount, was because Mount prefers a move to manchester United, according to Ornstein.

He said: "Arsenal initially targeted Mason Mount, but once it emerged that his preference is to join Manchester United, the focus shifted to Kai Havertz."