Manchester United have agreed the signing of Mason Mount after finally coming to a compromise over a fee with Chelsea.
The Athletic report a fee of £60 million has been agreed for the England international, after three earlier bids were rejected.
Mason Mount is expected to undergo his medicals over the weekend and be presented as a Manchester United player in time for pre-season to begin.
An announcement is expected from the club in due course. Mount will be the club’s first signing of the summer.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loans, releases, youth for 2023/24
United In Focus writer verdict
Dan Owen: “Mount brings three attributes Erik ten Hag wants from a midfielder; energy, adaptability and – most importantly – goals.
“More aggressive than Eriksen and more technical than Fred, Mount can ease the creative burden on Bruno Fernandes and will be a bargain if he can rediscover the form that saw him produce 29 G/A in 2021/22.”
Kieran Smith: “I think Erik ten Hag knows what he’s doing with the Mason Mount signing. There’s a reason he was his number one midfield priority.
“He’s had a rocky season, but he possesses undeniable talent which he can hopefully unleash once again at old Trafford. The £60m fee does scare me a little… so let’s hope he’s worth it!”
Dan Coombs: “United’s top priority in midfield was to get younger. Christian Eriksen and Fred have provided a great platform for Erik ten Hag’s project – but both are over 30. Signing Mason Mount helps to address the position long-term, and also allows us to rest Bruno a little more.
“It’s clear Mount needs a new start away from Chelsea and Ten Hag should get the best out of him. He wouldn’t have been my first choice – but I am optimistic he will be a success.”
Manchester United ‘back down’ and get top target
Manchester United did exactly what the club didn’t want, having pledged their previous £55 million offer was a ‘final’ one. For years, United have been manipulated by other clubs in the transfer market and been made to pay over the odds.
So while agreeing £60 million was a case of the club backing down after a final offer, there is a compromise here.
When The Mail first reported Manchester United’s interest, it was claimed United were willing to pay £55 million and Chelsea wanted £85 million for his signature. It is United who have come away closer to what we were looking for.
The other key aspects in play here are the timing, signing Mount before pre-season begins. Having a top player joining the squad will give the team an immediate lift.
Mount was United’s top target, and having failed to deliver Frenkie de Jong last summer, it was important United delivered the player Erik ten Hag wanted.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
