In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United has made their first major move in the summer transfer market by securing the services of Mason Mount from Chelsea. The Red Devils have agreed to pay a hefty sum of £60m to acquire the talented midfielder, who has been a subject of intense speculation in recent weeks.

The negotiations between the two clubs were not without their fair share of complexities. Chelsea, already raking in nearly £200m from player sales this transfer window, was eager to resolve the Mount situation swiftly. Eventually, a compromise was reached after fruitful discussions between the clubs. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

United’s financial commitment includes an initial fee of £55m, with an additional £5m allocated for potential add-ons. Mason Mount, identified as a primary target by United manager Erik ten Hag, is set to ink a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with an option to extend it by an extra year. The Red Devils are also intensifying their pursuit of André Onana, the goalkeeper from Internazionale, who desires a reunion with his former Ajax boss, Ten Hag.

The departure of Mason Mount from his childhood club became an inevitability after contract negotiations with Chelsea hit a roadblock. With his existing deal expiring next year, the 24-year-old midfielder made it abundantly clear that he had no intentions of prolonging his stay at Stamford Bridge.

Over the past year, Mount’s relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy has deteriorated significantly, leading him to hope that joining Manchester United will serve as a catalyst for rediscovering his form after a challenging period.

While Arsenal and Liverpool also expressed interest in the talented Englishman, it is United who have emerged as the frontrunners in securing his signature. According to The Guardian, personal terms were already agreed between Mount and United earlier this month. Ten Hag, eager to bolster his midfield options with more athleticism, holds great admiration for Mount’s work rate, versatility, and technical prowess.

The negotiation process witnessed United’s initial offer of £40m, which progressively rose to £50m, and eventually culminated in a third bid of £55m last week. On the other hand, Chelsea had initially set their asking price at £70m, plus add-ons, only to revise it to £65m last Friday. It was widely speculated that United would seek to meet Chelsea halfway during negotiations this week.

The decision to part ways with one of their most promising academy graduates will undoubtedly spark a spirited debate within Chelsea’s fanbase. Mason Mount, who has amassed an impressive record of 33 goals in 195 appearances, has endeared himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful. Frank Lampard, a revered figure in the club’s history, even envisioned Mount as a future captain.

Unfortunately, injuries plagued Mount’s last season, and the uncertainty surrounding his future has taken its toll on him. Currently earning around £75,000 per week, Mount was presented with several contract offers from Chelsea, including one that would have seen him earn a staggering £200,000 weekly.

Supporters will forever cherish the memories of a dedicated professional who played a crucial role in Kai Havertz’s winning goal in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City.

Nevertheless, Chelsea finds itself amidst a comprehensive squad overhaul, evident by the departure of Havertz to Arsenal for a reported fee of £65m. Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy, and N’Golo Kanté have all made their moves to Saudi Arabia, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is poised to join Milan for a fee of £15m plus add-ons. Additionally, Hakim Ziyech is expected to join Al-Nassr in the near future.

As the transfer window unfolds, it remains to be seen how Chelsea will cope with the loss of Mason Mount, who embodied their academy values and offered immense promise for the future. Conversely, Manchester United aims to leverage the midfielder’s talents to strengthen their own squad and mount a formidable challenge in the upcoming season. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.