Former England international Stuart Pearce feels Manchester United may have got a £55 million ‘bargain’ after finally agreeing a deal with Premier League rivals Chelsea for Mason Mount on Thursday.
The bewilderment that has accompanied Mason Mount’s arrival – among some sections of the Manchester United fanbase – perhaps sums up the oh-so fickle nature of modern football.
Yes, Mount endured a highly-disappointing campaign at Chelsea last term. Who didn’t? But, as recently as 2021/22, he scored 13 goals and set up 16 more from his attacking midfield role for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
That, for context, is the same ‘G/A’ as Bruno Fernandes managed in 2022/23.
And while eyebrows have been raised by the sight of United stumping up an eye-watering fee for a player available for free 12 months down the line, Pearce feels that this will be £55 million very well spent as long as Erik ten Hag succeeds in jump-starting Mount’s stalled career.
Manchester United agree deal with Chelsea for Mason Mount
“I think it’s good value. I wouldn’t say cheap but I would be happy to pay that, definitely,” the Nottingham Forest legend tells talkSPORT (30 June, 10am).
“He’s been part of this Chelsea (side) underachieving and people have been looking at that and saying his performances haven’t been good. I think, maybe, United could have got a bargain. I really do.”
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils will pay £55 million up front, plus £5 million in bonuses relating to silverware. After years of caving in and overpaying for their top targets, United’s football director John Murtough deserves major credit for standing firm and instead convincing Chelsea to back down on their initial £70 million valuation.
Murtough – who appears to possess the sort of market nous and footballing intelligence Ed Woodword could only dream of – “held the line and did a really good deal”, sources close to the Premier League giants tell the MEN.
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