Mason Mount is on the verge of joining Manchester United in a £60m deal from Chelsea, becoming the club's first signing of the summer. The two clubs reached a compromise following negotiations, with United paying an initial fee of £55m plus £5m in add-ons for the midfielder. Mount will sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with an option for an additional year. United is also intensifying their pursuit of André Onana, the Inter goalkeeper, who desires a reunion with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag at United.

Mount's departure from Chelsea became inevitable after contract talks broke down. The 24-year-old, whose current contract expires next year, expressed his reluctance to sign an extension. Mount's relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy has deteriorated over the past year, and he hopes that a move to United will help him rediscover his form after a challenging period. Arsenal and Liverpool had also shown interest in the England international, while Bayern Munich had targeted him under Thomas Tuchel's leadership. However, United made the strongest push and had reportedly already agreed on personal terms with Mount.

The negotiations between the two clubs involved multiple offers and counteroffers. United initially offered £40m, which increased to £50m and eventually reached £55m. Chelsea, on the other hand, started with a demand of £70m plus add-ons but lowered it to £65m. Sources suggest that the final agreement will likely be somewhere in between.

Chelsea's decision to sell Mount, one of their promising academy graduates, will generate debate among the club's fans. Mount, who has scored 33 goals in 195 appearances, is highly regarded by the Stamford Bridge faithful and was seen as a future captain by former Chelsea player Frank Lampard. However, injuries and uncertainty over his future have taken a toll on Mount's performance. Chelsea is currently undergoing a significant squad overhaul, with players like Kai Havertz, Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy, N'Golo Kanté, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Hakim Ziyech departing the club.

Despite the mixed emotions surrounding Mount's departure, supporters will remember him as a dedicated professional who played a crucial role in assisting Kai Havertz's winning goal in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City.