Manchester United has successfully negotiated a £60m deal with Chelsea for the transfer of Mason Mount. The England star is on track to ink a five-year deal at Old Trafford, with the potential to extend for an additional year. Having completed his medical evaluations, Mount took to social media on Tuesday night to bid his Chelsea supporters goodbye.
Mason Mount, on the verge of his £60m transfer to Manchester United, expresses that this career move ‘is the best choice for me at this point in my journey’ following his completed medical procedure. The paperwork is currently being wrapped up, with an official statement anticipated within the next day. The terms of the deal include an upfront payment of £55m, supplemented with an additional £5m tied to performance milestones.
With his Stamford Bridge contract due to expire in a year, United finally secured Mount’s signature after their initial trio of bids were turned down by their league competitors.
In a heartfelt video message to Chelsea fans on Tuesday night, Mount stated, “Greetings, Chelsea fans. Considering the recent rumours, my decision to depart from Chelsea may not come as a shock to many of you. I believe you deserve more than just a text announcement.
“I want to express directly my profound gratitude for your unflagging support over the past 18 years. I realize some of you may not be pleased with my decision, but it’s the appropriate choice for me at this stage in my career.”I began my journey with Chelsea at the tender age of six, and we’ve experienced a great deal together. Our accomplishments range from winning the Youth Cup, my personal player of the year accolades, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup, to the unforgettable evening we clinched the Champions League title.”
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the academy for shaping me from an early age. To the managers under whose guidance I’ve grown, the supportive backroom staff, and all my teammates who have become like family over the years, and above all, to you, the fans.”
“I wish you nothing but the best.”
In other news, United is also engaged in negotiations with Atalanta concerning the potential signing of striker Rasmus Hojlund. There’s a discrepancy in valuation, but the player himself seems eager for the move.
United has its own assessment of the player’s worth and is prepared to shift focus to other targets should they find Atalanta’s pricing excessive. Among other targets is Eintracht Frankfurt’s striker Kolo Muani.
Securing a new goalkeeper is also a priority. Among the considered candidates is Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, although there are concerns about his potential cost, prompting United to explore further options.
Discussions are also ongoing with David de Gea about a new contract, with the 32-year-old Spanish goalkeeper’s current contract officially expired.
United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, first encountered Mount during his tenure as Ajax’s head coach. Back then, an 18-year-old Mount, on loan at Vitesse Arnhem, scored a pivotal free-kick leading to their third goal in a 3-2 victory against Ajax in March 2018.
Following that match, which was only Ten Hag’s eighth game in charge of Ajax, he reportedly attempted to secure a loan deal for Mount from Chelsea for the ensuing season. Mount’s impressive tally of 14 goals and 10 assists in his first full season of senior football, mostly playing as a central midfielder, had evidently piqued Ten Hag’s interest.
Manchester United’s acquisition of Mason Mount, who has shown immense talent and dedication since his early days in Chelsea, promises to be a pivotal move in the club’s future strategy. United, under the leadership of Erik ten Hag, continues to focus on strengthening their squad, with their sights set on several key players such as Rasmus Hojlund and Kolo Muani. Concurrently, the club is addressing its goalkeeping situation, considering options such as Inter Milan’s Andre Onana and renegotiating terms with David de Gea. As these moves unfold, it’s clear that United is gearing up for a robust and ambitious new era.
