Manchester United are using Raheem Sterling as a factor in negotiations with Chelsea for Mason Mount.
United have left a 55m cash offer on the table for Mount - and are refusing to go higher.
For their part, Chelsea are demanding 65m to part with Mount and have proposed a staggered deal of 57m up front plus 8m in bonuses
But United, knowing Mount wants to join them, are refusing to budge.
Indeed, BBC Sport is reporting United have raised Raheem Sterling's deal last summer to Chelsea. The Blues paid Manchester City 50m for Sterling, who had a year to run on his deal.
Like Sterling, Mount also has a year on his Blues contract today.