Details have emerged of the way Mason Mount fell out of love with boyhood club Chelsea.
The Athletic report how Mason Mount was left feeling undervalued in comparison to Chelsea’s big name signings, who were brought in on higher wages.
Even the improved contract handed to Mount was not in line with their top earners, and the final straw was Chelsea’s offer of a one-year contract extension in February.
The report claims Chelsea offered Mount an extension with a £70 million release clause, which they felt would have given them a greater sway to negotiate his departure this summer.
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Mason Mount rejected short-term contract
Mason Mount was only going to sign a contract on a higher wage which was long-term. By this time the low-salary long-term offer had been withdrawn, and replaced with the one-year offer with a £70 million release clause.
The report states: “The short-term deal was offered to relieve some of the pressure with a view to revisiting discussions over a longer agreement later in the year.”
This was said to be the key moment at which Mount made his mind up to leave the club.
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Thankfully Mount did not take the offer with the release clause, and Manchester United were able to secure a lower fee with Chelsea for his signature.
United paid £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons. It was a discount on Chelsea’s valuation of him.
Chelsea are left to reflect on where it all went wrong. A change of ownership and regular changes of managers added to the dysfunction and changing stance on Mason Mount’s situation.
The Athletic reported that when Todd Boehly arrived, he told Mason Mount he wanted him to be ‘the face’ of Chelsea, as an academy star who was one of their prize assets.
But the money Mount was offered was never in line with those promises.
Manchester United have gladly swept up Chelsea’s mess and prised him away, with Mount tempted by the combination of a new start, and a salary which reflects his status as a key player.
The number seven shirt is also assigned to Mount, another sign of United’s trust in him. Now he has to repay it.