Manchester United has agreed personal terms with Chelsea star Mason Mount as Erik ten Hag closes in on his first summer signing.
The future of the 24-year-old England international has been the subject of widespread speculation in recent months. Mount has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge during the club’s chaotic 2022/23 season. The homegrown star, pivotal in their 2020/21 Champions League win, made 35 appearances in all competitions but suffered injury issues and patchy form.
Arsenal and Liverpool have also been pursuing Mount, whose deal expires in the summer of 2024. New boss Mauricio Pochettino had been keen to hold talks over where he sees his future. But the club’s owners want to cash in rather than risk losing him for nothing in 12 months.
Talks between United and Chelsea over a deal for Mount have intensified ever since the club met at Old Trafford last Thursday. And now a deal has been agreed in principle, between the player and United, who will now seek to seal a deal with the London club.
Ten Hag’s summer transfer plans are extensive after the Red Devils regained a place back in the Champions League. However, uncertainty still reigns at Old Trafford with the Glazer family yet to make a decision on the takeover bids of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim.
In West London meanwhile, Mount’s departure is not the only departure seemingly being finalised. The club have also opened talks with Manchester City over the transfer of Mateo Kovacic, who like Mount has just 12 months left on his contract.
With personal terms agreed, the two clubs are expected to reach an agreement over a transfer fee for the Croatian international, with the 29-year-old to imminently move to the newly crowned Premier League champions. Like Mount, the star has won the Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.
And it’s unlikely that the two men will be the only figures heading for the exit door this summer. With around 40 players in his first team squad, Pochettino will need further sales before he can realistically add to his bloated squad.
This week, it was confirmed that but President of Business Tom Glick was leaving the club, with one of Todd Boehly’s trusted allies replacing him. Chris Jurasek, who has previously worked with Boehly as an operating executive for Clearlake Capital, the private equity firm which co-owns Chelsea, has taken up the role.