Manchester United have completed their first signing of the Premier League transfer window by snapping up Mason Mount from Chelsea.
Amid the ongoing takeover saga at the club, United’s summer activity has moved slowly, much to the frustration of Erik ten Hag.
United finally reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Mount for an initial £55 million plus a further £5m in add-ons after two earlier bids were rejected.
The midfielder, who missed the final stages of last season through injury, is expected to link up with his new teammates before the start of their pre-season tour.
“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,” Mount told United’s official website following the completion of his move.
“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.”
Mount is the first player since Juan Mata in January 2014 to depart Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford.
Like Mata, Mount’s exit certainly divides opinion amongst the Chelsea faithful regardless of his best attempt at clearing the air in a farewell message released yesterday.
A two-time Player of the Year for Chelsea in just four seasons, Mount’s time in west London ended in anti-climatic fashion following an impasse over contract negotiations.
Despite the desire of Chelsea’s new manager Mauricio Pochettino to keep him, talks between Mount and Chelsea regarding a new deal never quite resumed and United swooped in to get their man.
Having successfully got a deal for Mount over the line, the Red Devils will now turn their attention towards landing a new goalkeeper with David de Gea’s future still uncertain following the expiry of his contract on June 30.
Andre Onana is the prime target for United, and they are believed to have already tabled an opening offer for the Cameroon international.
United also remain keen on landing a new striker and have been linked with moves for Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.
