Manchester United CONFIRM £60m signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea   

Manchester United have completed the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £60 million.

United will pay £55 million plus potentially £5 million in add-ons for Mount, who has signed a £250,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford until 2028 with an option for a further year.

After signing the new contract, Mount said: “It’s never easy to leave the club you grew up in, but Manchester United will be an exciting new challenge for the next stage of my career.” Having competed against them, I know how strong the team I’m joining is, and I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win big trophies.

‘Everyone sees that the club has made great strides under Erik ten Hag. After meeting the manager and discussing his plans, I can no longer look forward to the next few seasons and I am ready for the hard work that is expected here.

‘I’m hugely ambitious; I know how great it feels to win big trophies and what it takes. I will do everything I can to experience that again at Manchester United.”

Mount was United boss Erik ten Hag’s number 1 target over the summer term and joins for £60m

The 24-year-old agreed personal terms with United a few weeks ago as the club deflected interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.

United believe they sign a top international player entering the prime of his career at the age of 24.

Sources say Mount fits the mold of a dynamic energy player sought after by Ten Hag and has been the manager’s number 1 target in midfield this summer.

It is clear that Ten Hag was deeply involved in the process and gave Mount a clear picture of how he would fit into the team next season.

Personal terms were said to have been agreed a few weeks ago when United deflected interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.

United’s director of football John Murtough, who led the negotiations, said: ‘Mason is an exceptionally intelligent footballer and has so many fantastic technical qualities that will make a significant contribution to our squad. We have long admired his talents, so we are delighted that he has chosen to take the next steps in his career here at Old Trafford.

“His playing style and attributes are a perfect fit for this squad and we all believe that he will only get better 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 do our best to raise our level of performance next season and beyond.”

He ended an 18-year stay for Mount at Chelsea, which began when he joined the academy as a six-year-old. team struggling with the turmoil and massive changes in both players and staff.

The England midfielder is said to have shown a strong desire to move to Old Trafford

Mount was seen arriving in Carrington on Monday morning for his United medical

Mount was seen in Manchester on Tuesday as he traveled back to Carrington to complete his move

He said an emotional farewell to Chelsea fans as he prepared to leave his boyhood club

Their 12th-place finish in the 2022/23 season, coupled with the lure of playing Champions League football with United for more than double his salary, proved strong enough for him to leave the club he supported as a boy.

The player was on the books of Chelsea for his entire career, although he spent time on loan at Derby in 2018-19 and Vitesse Arnheim in 2017-18, winning the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup with the Blues.

In a farewell message to Chelsea fans, Mount said: “Hello Chelsea fans, given the speculation over the past 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 leave Chelsea.

“I think you deserve more than just a written statement, so I just wanted to tell you right away how grateful I have been for all your support over the past 18 years.

“I know some of you won’t be happy with my decision, but it’s what’s right for me at this point in my career.

“I joined Chelsea when I was six years old and we’ve been through a lot together: winning the Youth Cup, my player of the year award, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup and of course that unforgettable night when we won. the Champions League.’

Mount took the opportunity to thank several individuals for their help throughout his journey at Chelsea, including former managers Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter and academy bosses Jim Fraser and Neil Bath.

He added: ‘I want to thank the academy Jim and Neil for being an influence from such a young age. The managers I worked under, Frank, Thomas and Graham.

“The staff in the back room, the unsung heroes of Cobham, all my teammates who have become my brothers over the years, my family for the continued love and support and most of all you guys for sticking with me all the way through. I wish you all the best’.

Mount will be the latest in a string of big stars to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Mateo Kovacic has joined Manchester City for £25 million, while N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have all moved to the Saudi Pro League, joining Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal respectively. have added.

Kai Havertz has also left, signing for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal for £65 million, as the West London eviction continues steadily as Mauricio Pochettino takes charge of the club.

The pinnacle of Mount’s Chelsea career came when he won the 2021 Champions League against Manchester City

Mount ends an 18-year stay with Chelsea that began when he joined The Blues as a six-year-old