Mason Mount Signs Five-Year Contract with Manchester United
Manchester United have agreed to sign England midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea on a five-year contract for £55m, plus £5m in add-ons. This marks the first signing of the summer for Erik ten Hag as he looks to strengthen his side following United’s qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Chelsea’s Financial Fair Play Concerns
Chelsea spent £600m last season and needed to sell before 30 June to ease Financial Fair Play concerns. Chelsea had rejected United’s first three bids but talks between the two clubs resumed this week to resolve the impasse. It is understood Chelsea preferred not to lose Mount but were unable to successfully negotiate a new contract with his deal set to expire next year.
Mason Mount’s Career at Chelsea
Mount joined Chelsea aged six and has scored 33 goals in 195 appearances for Chelsea since making his senior debut in 2019. He missed the end of the domestic season with injury as the Blues came 12th – their lowest finish for more than 25 years.
Manchester United’s Third-Place Finish
United finished third in the Premier League and while Ten Hag has prioritised a new striker this summer, Mount’s ability to operate in advanced positions is understood to have made him an attractive option for the club.
Mason Mount’s Accomplishments
Mount won the Champions League in 2021 with Chelsea and started during the side’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final. He also won the Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup with the Blues. He has been capped 36 times by England, scoring five goals, and was part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Mason Mount’s Loan Spells
Mount came through Chelsea’s academy before joining Vitesse on loan for the 2017-18 season, scoring nine goals in 29 Eredivisie appearances. The following campaign he was loaned to Derby County, scoring eight goals 35 Championship games under manager Frank Lampard as the Rams suffered a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the play-off final. Upon his return to Chelsea in 2019, Mount made his breakthrough under the newly-appointed Lampard and became a key player at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Recent Changes
Last month Chelsea appointed former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager, replacing interim boss Lampard who had taken over following the sacking of Graham Potter. The Blues are seeking to reduce their squad size and have sold Kai Havertz to Arsenal and Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City this week, while fellow midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is close to joining AC Milan. Meanwhile, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have moved to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli, and N’Golo Kante has agreed a deal with fellow Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad. Midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko also left the club as a free agent after spending last season on loan at AC Milan.
Conclusion
Mason Mount is set to join Manchester United on a five-year contract for £55m, plus £5m in add-ons. This marks the first signing of the summer for Erik ten Hag as he looks to strengthen his side following United’s qualification for next season’s Champions League. Mount has been an integral part of Chelsea’s success over the past few seasons, winning the Champions League in 2021 and being capped 36 times by England. He also had successful loan spells at Vitesse and Derby County before making his breakthrough at Stamford Bridge under Frank Lampard. With Chelsea looking to reduce their squad size, they have sold several key players this week, including Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic. It will be interesting to see how Mount fits into United’s side and how he will help them challenge for trophies next season.