Manchester United want to make Mason Mount their headline midfield signing this summer — but finalising a move is not straightforward.

Despite having just one year left on his deal, Chelsea reportedly snubbed a £55million for their homegrown star.

With Bayern Munich also keen to hijack a deal for the England international, it is time for the Red Devils to consider some alternatives.

We take a look at who they could sign instead. 

Marcel Sabitzer

United do not need to look far to find one suitable fallback.

They had Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich in the second half of last season and he made a good, if unspectacular, impact on their season.

The Austrian scored three goals in 18 appearances for Erik Ten Hag's side, including a brace in the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla, and would presumably be available for a small fee.

Ten Hag will understandably wonder whether he can do better but at least has a serviceable option in his back pocket.

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea seem to be the most likely destination for Moises Caicedo but United will surely make their own attempt to sign the midfielder.

The Brighton star, who can also play right-back, is arguably better value for money than Declan Rice, considering that a bid of under £100m should be enough to land him.

Like Mount, Caicedo would be signed for his work off the ball as much as on it.

He won the possession back in the middle third the third-most of all Premier League players last season, as well as ranking eighth for chances created.

Eberechi Eze

One intriguing option could be Eberechi Eze, who was handed his England debut in the 4-0 victory over Malta earlier this month.

Eze was inspired for Crystal Palace last season, scoring six goals in 10 appearances under Roy Hodgson at the end of the campaign to secure the club's survival.

The QPR academy product is incredibly aesthetically pleasing — and productive.

No Premier League central midfielder completed more take-ons last term, while he ranked fourth for chances created.

Jacob Ramsey

Another current Premier League player United could turn to is Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey.

The midfielder starred as Villa finished seventh last season, scoring six goals and assisting seven, and is also impressing for England at the Under-21 European Championships.

He has caught the eye of Old Trafford legend Paul Scholes, who recently posted on Instagram: "Surprised no big clubs are coming in for this lad!"

United may do well to listen.

Felix Nmecha

Whether United would want to buy another Bundesliga player after Jadon Sancho's struggles is unclear but Felix Nmecha is certainly a sound option statistically.

Nmecha scored three goals and assisted six in the German top flight last season but his underlying numbers suggest he is capable of more.

He ranked sixth for shots, 11th for dribbles and 14th for key passes per game of all Bundesliga midfielders last term.

The  22-year-old — a Manchester City academy graduate — also sits 19th for possessions won in the attacking third, completing a picture of an impressive all-round player.