Mason
Mount says his imminent £60m move to Manchester United "is right for me at
this moment in my career" after he completed a medical ahead of his transfer
from Chelsea.
Contracts are now being finalised and a formal announcement is expected in
the next 24 hours. The deal is a £55m initial payment plus £5m in
performance-related add-ons.
Sky Sports News understands the add-ons are strongly dependent on
appearances and success. United have offered the England international a
five-year contract with an extra year option.
Mount has one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, and United
initially had three bids rejected by their Premier League rivals.
In a farewell social media video to Chelsea supporters on Tuesday evening,
Mount said: "Hi Chelsea fans. Given the speculation over the last couple of
months, this may not come as a surprise to you that I've made the decision
to leave Chelsea. I feel you deserve more than just a written statement.
"So I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I've been for all of your
support over the last 18 years. I know some of you won't be happy with my
decision, but it's what is right for me at this moment in my career.
"I joined Chelsea when I was six years old and we've been through a lot
together. Winning the Youth Cup, my player of the year awards, the Super
Cup, the Club World Cup, and the unforgettable night where we won the
Champions League.
"I want to say thank you to the academy for being so influential to me from
a young age. The managers I've worked under, the backroom staff, all of my
team-mates over the years who have become my brothers, and most importantly
you guys.
"I wish you all the best."
Meanwhile, United remain in talks with Atalanta over the signing of striker
Rasmus Hojlund. A gap in valuation exists - but it is thought the player
wants to make the move.
The club also have their valuation of the player and will move to
alternative targets if they feel Atalanta are overpricing the player. United
are also looking at Eintracht Frankfurt striker Kolo Muani.
A new goalkeeper also remains on the agenda. Inter Milan's Andre Onana is
one of a few United are looking at. However, there is a feeling he may be
too expensive, and United continue to look at other options.
Dialogue is still open with David de Gea over a new deal, with the
32-year-old Spaniard officially out of contract.
Why Man Utd want Mount
United boss Erik ten Hag first bumped into Mount when he was Ajax head
coach. On loan at Vitesse Arnhem, the 18-year-old's free-kick led to his
side's third goal as they beat Ajax 3-2 in March 2018.
Ten Hag, then in charge of just his eighth game at Ajax, reportedly tried to
sign Mount for the Dutch club on loan from Chelsea the following season.
Fourteen goals and 10 assists in his first full campaign of senior football,
largely from central midfield, had caught Ten Hag's attention.
Mount ticks all Ten Hag's boxes
Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy:
Only the formalities remain for Mason Mount to complete his move to
Manchester United.
The deal, which is an initial £55m, is a good one for the club bearing in
mind Chelsea's starting price point was £70m, but more than that, Mount
represents exactly what Erik ten Hag wants in the centre of the park.
Sky Sports News understands the manager arrived at United with 83 principles
that he explained to staff and the squad - they ranged from a number of
things like discipline and taking responsibility - but a large number of his
laws circled what to do out of possession.
Mount, in this respect, ticks all the traits Ten Hag wants without the ball
in terms of his pressing ability, work ethic, movement and orientation to
help quick transitions. His habit of protecting the ball, versatility, two
footedness, and comfort in being a creator also appealed.
'Mount departure an indictment of
shambolic Chelsea'
Jonathan Liew of The Guardian told Sky Sports News:
"Manchester United are getting the better deal, for certain.
"The deal is an indictment of the chaos at Chelsea, the shambolic way the
club has been run over the last 12 months. Chelsea are losing one of their
homegrown stars, a hero of the club, one who has performed well for them, a
real favourite with the fans.
"The fact they can't find a way to keep him, to build a team around him,
says a lot about where Chelsea are, as does the fact he sees Manchester
United as the more stable, long-term option.
"United are getting a player who is still young, who is an international,
who can play lots of different roles and has incredible attitude and
work-rate in attack and defence. Mount is a versatile player who Erik ten
Hag will believe can take United to the next level."
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