Chelsea star Mason Mount has agreed on personal terms with Manchester United as Erik ten Hag nears the completion of his first summer signing. The 24-year-old England international, who has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge during the club’s turbulent 2022–23 season, has been the focus of intense conjecture in recent months.
The Chelsea academy graduate, who was crucial to their 2020–21 Champions League victory, made 35 appearances across all competitions despite struggling with injuries and inconsistent gametime. With his contract running down in the summer of 2024, Chelsea do not want to lose another star performer in mason Mount to leave for free and have apparently accepted Mason Mount’s decision to leave this year.
Mason Mount picks Man United over Liverpool, Arsenal
Arsenal and Liverpool were interested in Mason Mount as well, with the two clubs looking to reinforce their midfield. Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s new boss at the hot seat, had been eager to discuss his future plans with Mount, but the club’s owners would rather make a profit than take the chance of losing him for free in a year.
The Daily Telegraph now claims that since the club’s meeting at Old Trafford last Thursday, negotiations between United and Chelsea over a move for Mount have heated up. The player and United have now reached an agreement in principle, and the Red Devils will now try to reach an agreement with the west London club.
After the United won a spot back in the Champions League, Ten Hag has substantial transfer plans for the upcoming summer. Old Trafford is still in limbo, meanwhile, as the Glazer family has not decided whether to accept either of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s and Sheikh Jassim’s acquisition offers.
Meanwhile at Stamford Bridge, Mason Mount’s departure isn’t the only one that appears to be on the agenda in West London. Mateo Kovacic, who, like Mount, has only one year left on his contract, is also a potential transfer target for United’s cross-town rivals Manchester City.
After agreeing on personal conditions, the two clubs are anticipated to negotiate a transfer fee for the 29-year-old Croatian international, who will soon join the newly crowned Premier League champions. During his tenure at Stamford Bridge, Kovacic has also won the Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup alongside Mount. Furthermore, it’s unlikely that the two men will be the only ones leaving Chelsea this summer.
Pochettino’s first team squad has about 40 players, and he is reportedly down to make more sales before he can add players of his choice to the Blues’ already bloated roster. The likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Edouard Mendy are also expected to be moved on while Joao Felix and Denis Zakaria have already been told to return to their respective clubs after their loan spells ended.