Manchester
United have completed the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea for an initial
£55m.
The overall fee for England international midfielder Mount could rise to
£60m depending on success and appearances over several seasons.
The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford that runs until
the summer of 2028 and has the option to be extended by a further year.
Mount becomes United's first summer signing and the transfer brings his
18-year association with Chelsea, during which he won the Champions League,
UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, to an end.
Mount, who will wear United's iconic No 7 shirt, 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, and 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 and 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 will be giving everything to experience that
again at Manchester United."
Mount bid farewell to Chelsea fans in a social media video on Tuesday
evening and leaves Stamford Bridge having scored 33 goals and providing 37
assists in 195 appearances in all competitions.
Manchester United football director John Murtough said: "Mason is an
extremely intelligent footballer and has so many fantastic technical
qualities that will significantly add to our squad.
"We have admired his talents for a long time, so 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, and 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."
Why Man Utd wanted Mount
United boss Erik ten Hag first bumped into Mount when he was Ajax head
coach. On loan at Vitesse Arnhem, the-then 18-year-old's free-kick led to
his side's third goal as they beat Ajax 3-2 in March 2018.
Ten Hag, then in charge of just his eighth game at Ajax, reportedly tried to
sign Mount for the Dutch club on loan from Chelsea the following season.
Fourteen goals and 10 assists in his first full campaign of senior football,
largely from central midfield, had caught Ten Hag's attention.
Ten Hag has now got his man.
Mount ticks all Ten Hag's boxes
Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy:
The deal, which is an initial £55m, is a good one for the club bearing in
mind Chelsea's starting price point was £70m, but, more than that, Mount
represents exactly what Ten Hag wants in the centre of the park.
Sky Sports News understands the manager arrived at United with 83 principles
that he explained to staff and the squad - they ranged from a number of
things like discipline and taking responsibility - but a large number of his
laws circled what to do out of possession.
Mount, in this respect, ticks all the traits Ten Hag wants without the ball
in terms of his pressing ability, work ethic, movement and orientation to
help quick transitions. His habit of protecting the ball, versatility, two
footedness, and comfort in being a creator also appealed.
Was Mount treated unfairly at Chelsea?
Sky Sports' Paul Merson:
"When you're a player coming through the ranks, it's not the same as someone
who has been bought. If you're paying £50m for someone, they are an asset,
so they get looked after.
"Mount has probably thought, 'why am I getting treated differently to
everyone else, why am I not getting the money these other players are
getting?' Let's remember, he was the best player in the team the year before
last and won Player of the Year twice.
"I cannot believe only one club was after Mount. He's proven in the Premier
League, before his injury last season he was nailed on to start for England
and he was the best player in a good Chelsea team.
"If I supported Manchester United, I'd be more than happy with the signing.
He gives you energy, gets on the ball, on the half-turn, looks forward all
the time. The kid is a proper player, a special player."
'Mount departure an indictment of
shambolic Chelsea'
Jonathan Liew of The Guardian told Sky Sports News:
"Manchester United are getting the better deal, for certain.
"The deal is an indictment of the chaos at Chelsea, the shambolic way the
club has been run over the last 12 months. Chelsea are losing one of their
homegrown stars, a hero of the club, one who has performed well for them, a
real favourite with the fans.
"The fact they can't find a way to keep him, to build a team around him,
says a lot about where Chelsea are, as does the fact he sees Manchester
United as the more stable, long-term option.
"United are getting a player who is still young, who is an international,
who can play lots of different roles and has incredible attitude and
work-rate in attack and defence. Mount is a versatile player who Erik ten
Hag will believe can take United to the next level."
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