It seems as though Manchester United have made their first decisive move in the transfer market, if reports in the English press are to be believed.
The Telegraph reported on Wednesday night that United have agreed personal terms with Chelsea and England midfielder Mason Mount, in the first bit of business conducted by Erik Ten Hag this summer.
Mount is understood to be ready for a new challenge, and appeared to bid farewell to the Chelsea fans after their final home game of the season.
The 24-year-old will likely be used in a number eight role by Ten Hag, complimenting the excellent performances in midfield this season from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.
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It's a solid signing for Manchester United, but it's not completed yet - and further reports suggest they may have to pay over the odds yet again for Mount.
Manchester United agree personal terms with Mason Mount
Despite a difficult season this year, Mason Mount has proven his worth with Chelsea since breaking into the first team under Frank Lampard in 2019.
He is a two-time winner of the club's player of the year award, and helped them to the Champions League crown in 2021, setting up Kai Havertz's winner in the final against Manchester City, and scoring the winner at Anfield and in a Champions League semi-final v Real Madrid in that same season.
So, so good from @MasonMount_10! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tlG8fIyktV
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 5, 2021
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With Mount's contract negotiations with Chelsea faltering, his impressive CV has many of the club's biggest Premier League rivals interested, and it seems as though Manchester United have won the race - though they may have to pay a huge transfer fee for the honour.
Earlier this week, The Athletic reported that Chelsea were seeking £70 million (upwards of €80 million) for Mount, despite the England international entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United are also understood to be seeking a top-class striker this summer, as well as potential investment in defence and between the sticks. A £70 million splurge on Mason Mount would be an intriguing statement that money will not be an issue for them in the transfer market this summer - though whether spending that amount of money on a player in the final year of his contract would be wise is another matter.
United's board are in the midst of choosing a prospective buyer for the club, with Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS battling it out with Qatari Sheikh Jassim to take control of the club. The uncertainty around the takeover certainly doesn't seem to have stopped the club getting a move on in the transfer market, as Erik Ten Hag looks to push on from this season's third place finish.
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