Last summer, Manchester United sold Paul Pogba to Juventus, Jesse Lingard to Nottingham Forest, Juan Mata to Galatasaray, and Andreas Pereira to Fulham, signing only Christian Eriksen from Brentford and Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich as replacements, so Eric ten Hag is looking for another attacking midfielder.
Mason Mount’s future at Chelsea is uncertain, according to Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian. The 24-year-contract old’s expires in 2024, and he wants a new deal that reflects his value to the club. Mount earns £75k per week at Stamford Bridge, according to Steinberg, but has been offered £180k per week. It remains to be seen whether he will accept the offer.
Mount advanced through the Chelsea youth system to the first team in 2019 and has since made 192 appearances in all competitions, scoring 33 goals and assisting 37 others. The England international, who has five goals and five assists in 36 caps, has been a regular under Graham Potter this season, appearing in 32 of 35 games across all competitions, indicating his importance.
United want Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, but Mount is a’more affordable’ option, according to Steinberg. The 24-year-old scored five goals in 23 league games while creating 30 chances and making 32 tackles, demonstrating his ability to turn over possession and create opportunities for his teammates.
Bellingham may cost more than £100 million, but Mount may be available for less than £50 million. Chelsea have spent £542 million on new players in the last two transfer windows and must recoup some of that money in order to comply with Financial Fair Play.
Todd Boehly, the club’s owner, was reportedly unhappy with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger leaving on free transfers after their contracts expired, so he wants some value from Mount if the club can’t tie him down to a new contract beyond 2024.
Having said that, it remains to be seen whether United will make a bid for Mount. Their preferred location is Bellingham, but the cost is an issue.
Eriksen has impressed under Ten Hag, and Sabitzer looks set to join on a permanent basis in the coming months, so the Red Devils will have at least two established playmakers to call on next season.
