Mason Mount is Erik ten Hag’s first signing of the summer as the Dutchman looks to strengthen his side – Reuters/Dylan Martinez
Manchester United will announce the signing of Mason Mount on Wednesday after completing a medical and finalising the paperwork of his £60 million deal from Chelsea on Tuesday night.
The England midfielder, 24, posted an emotional farewell to the club where he spent 18 years and its fans, insisting the move was right for his career. He had one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and United moved for him.
Mount was at Carrington on Monday for medical tests and the formalities of the deal, which will see United pay £55million guaranteed with the rest in add-ons. He has agreed a long-term deal which is expected to be five years plus an option of an extra season.
Telegraph Sport revealed before the World Cup that contract talks with Chelsea were at a stalemate and with no sign of a breakthrough, clubs looked at him as a potential high-profile signing.
Erik Ten Hag has the option to use him as an attacking midfielder or start him in wider positions in his frontline. Despite being within a year of being a free agent, United feel his price his good value for what he will bring to Ten Hag’s team.
It also brings an end to his time at Chelsea when he came through the ranks at the club’s Cobham training ground under Neil Bath and Jim Fraser, making it from the Academy to the first team. He made his breakthrough in the first team in 2019, the same year he earned the first of his 36 England caps.
“Given the speculation over the last six months, this may not come as a surprise to you but it doesn’t make it any easier to tell you that I’ve made the decision to tell you that I have made a decision to leave Chelsea,” he said.
“I feel you deserve more than just a written statement so I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I have been and for all of your support over the last 18 years. I know some of you won’t be happy with my decision but it is what is right for me at this moment in my career.
“I joined Chelsea when I was six years old, and we went through a lot together – winning the Youth Cup, my player of the year awards, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup and of course the unforgettable night when we won the Champions League.
“I want to say thank you to the Academy, Jim and Neil for being so influential for me at such a young age. The managers I’ve worked under – Frank [Lampard], Thomas [Tuchel] and Graham [Potter], the backroom staff [who are] the unsung heroes of Cobham.”
“All of my team-mates over the years who have become my brothers, my family for their continuous love and support and most importantly you guys for sticking with my throughout.”
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