Man Utd negotiate to buy Mount from Chelsea

After reaching a personal agreement with Mason Mount, Man Utd are negotiating with Chelsea over the transfer fee for the 24-year-old English midfielder.

According to the Guardian , Man Utd are confident that Mount will be the club's first signing in the summer transfer window of 2023. They are said to have reached personal agreements with the talented attacking midfielder, including a weekly salary of $310,000. The remaining work is to negotiate with Chelsea with a transfer fee offer ranging from $62.5 million to $75 million.

Sunsport reports that Man Utd could bring Harry Maguire to the negotiating table to convince Chelsea to let him go. If successful with the plan to add Maguire, this season's FA Cup runners-up hope to only have to pay a maximum of $60 million in cash to recruit Mount.

Mount applauds Chelsea fans during the 1-1 draw with Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on May 28. Photo: Shutterstock — Mount applauds Chelsea fans during the 1-1 draw with Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on May 28. Photo: *Shutterstock*

Mount is currently under contract with Chelsea until June 2024 and is valued at $70 million (€65 million) by transfer website Transfermarkt .

According to British newspaper Sunsport , Chelsea prioritized keeping Mount but were rejected at least three extension offers. In August and September 2022, the Stamford Bridge team offered Mount a five-year contract with the option of a one-year extension and a significant increase in his current salary of around $100,000. However, the 24-year-old midfielder rejected both.

In January 2023, Chelsea resumed negotiations and offered a one-year extension until 2025. But the English star continued to refuse and demanded a weekly salary of $310,000.

If he joins Man Utd at his desired weekly salary, Mount will be the fourth best paid player, behind Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho - the trio currently earn $435,000 a week. David De Gea is currently the highest earner with nearly $500,000 a week. However, the Spanish goalkeeper will have to cut his income in half if he renews with Man Utd. Man Utd's number one star Bruno Fernandes only pockets less than $300,000 a week, while Marcus Rashford and Antony earn $250,000 a week.

Coach Erik ten Hag is still not satisfied with the mobility of the midfield. The Dutch coach believes that Mount, with his pressing ability, versatility - he can play as an attacking midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder or on the left - and his intelligent style of play, would be the ideal choice for the No. 8 role in the Man Utd squad.

In addition to Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern are other "big guys" eyeing Mount. However, Chelsea only agreed to let Mount leave for $90 million this summer, considering this fee "reasonable" for a player with achievements, youth and potential like the midfielder born in 1999.

Hong Duy

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