- Manchester United agrees £60m deal for Mason Mount from Chelsea
- Mount’s departure from Chelsea inevitable after contract negotiations breakdown
- Chelsea’s massive purge sees Havertz sold to Arsenal and other key players leave
Manchester United will make their first summer signing after agreeing to a £60 million agreement to acquire Mason Mount from Chelsea.
Chelsea, who are already closing in on £200m in sales this window, was eager to move on from the Mount saga, and a compromise has been reached between the two clubs following discussions.
United is paying £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons for the midfielder, who was designated as a key target by Erik Ten Hag. The player will sign a five-year contract with the option to extend it by one year. They are also intensifying their pursuit of Internazionale custodian André Onana, who wishes to reunite with Ten Hag, his former coach at Ajax, at Manchester United.
Mount’s departure from his boyhood club became inevitable following the breakdown of contract negotiations with Chelsea. The 24-year-old’s contract expires next year, and he has made it plain he has no intention of resigning.
Mount feels joining United would help him recover from a rough year with Chelsea’s leadership.
Arsenal, Liverpool, and Thomas Tuchel wanted to sign the England international, but United were the most active.
United bid £40 million, £50 million, and £55 million last week. Chelsea’s initial asking price was £70 million plus add-ons, but they reduced it to £65 million last Friday. According to credible sources, United will attempt to meet Chelsea in the middle of the week.
The decision to sell one of Chelsea’s finest academy products will generate much debate among the club’s supporters. Frank Lampard, one of the greatest players in Stamford Bridge club history, saw Mount as a future Chelsea captain. Mount has tallied 33 goals in 195 appearances and is a fan favorite among the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Last season, Mount labored with injuries, and the uncertainty surrounding his future has taken its toll. Mount makes £75,000 per week, and Chelsea offered him up to £200,000 per week.
In 2021, supporters will remember the devoted professional who assisted Kai Havertz’s game-winning goal against Manchester City in the Champions League final.
Havertz was sold to Arsenal for £65 million on Wednesday as part of Chelsea’s ongoing massive purge. Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy, and N’Golo Kanté have relocated to Saudi Arabia, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will join Milan for £15 million plus add-ons, and Hakim Ziyech will join Al-Nassr.
