Erik ten Hag has won the battle for Mason Mount, with United fending off competition from Arsenal and Liverpool to sign him in a £60million deal.
Mount, 24, has signed a five-year deal with the Red Devils, who fended off competition from rivals Arsenal and Liverpool in order to earn his signature. Having agreed personal terms weeks ago and already met his new team-mates at the club’s Carrington training base, the England international becomes boss Erik ten Hag’s first signing of the summer window. He joins United for an initial £55m, with £5m to come in potential add-ons.
After entering the final 12 months of his Chelsea contract and having rejected multiple offers to extend his 18-year stay at Stamford Bridge, the Blues decided to sell Mount in order to recoup a sizeable fee and not risk losing him for nothing next summer. Chelsea’s two-time Player of the Year had been with the club since the age of six. He however announced on Tuesday that he was to depart and “can’t wait” to get started at his new club.
Upon confirmation of his arrival, Mount – who’ll earn around £250,000 per week – said: “It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up. But Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career. Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squad it is that I’m joining. I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies.
“Everyone can see that the club has made big steps forward under Erik ten Hag. Having met with the manager and discussed his plans, I couldn’t be more excited for the seasons ahead. Am ready for the hard work expected here”.
“I am hugely ambitious. I know how amazing it feels to win major trophies and what it takes to do it. I’ll be giving everything to experience that again at Manchester United.”
United’s football director, John Murtough, held the line at a fixed £55m during negotiations. This is a sum which the Red Devils will be happy to pay due to the extra £5m coming if the club are successful. Murtough added: “Mason is an extremely intelligent footballer. He has so many fantastic technical qualities that will significantly add to our squad”.
“We have admired his talents for a long time. Therefore, we are delighted that he has chosen to take the next steps in his career here at Old Trafford.
“His style of play and attributes are a perfect fit for this squad. We all believe that he will only improve further working with Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff. Mason himself is a world-class player. But he also has the ability to improve the players around him through his game intelligence and tactical awareness.
“We were particularly impressed by his strong desire to join United, and his thirst for further success, as we push to drive up our performance levels next season and beyond.”