Man Utd ‘agree terms with Mount’ as new Chelsea boss Pochettino axes third star

Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and are expected to sign the playmaker this summer. The England international refused to pen a contract extension at Stamford Bridge this season, and he is set to become another star forced out of the door as part of the club’s imminent overhaul.

Mount has been a key player for the Blues since coming through the academy and Mauricio Pochettino is keen for the midfielder to commit his future to the club and buy into his vision. However, a deal reportedly has not arrived that the player feels represents his importance and his head has now been turned, with Chelsea willing to facilitate a move as they do not want Mount to run down his contract as the final year of his current deal looms.

Liverpool and Arsenal are both keen on Mount and had been hopeful of securing his signature, though United appear to have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals. According to The Telegraph, he has now agreed terms with the Red Devils and is keen to make the move to Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag is said to have been confident about signing Mount since talks were opened with the Blues last Thursday when the two teams met. The midfielder did not feature in the match, in which his current side were beaten 4-1, and appeared to wave goodbye to supporters at Stamford Bridge on the last day of the season after a 1-1 draw with Newcastle.

Mount becomes the third player to be axed by Pochettino just days after he was appointed as Blues boss, with the Argentine desperate to cut the size of his squad to create space for new arrivals. Similarly, owner Todd Boehly is keen to offload those who are not willing to pen new deals with the club.

Mateo Kovacic is another star set to depart, with Manchester City recently being given the green light to open talks with the Croatia international over a potential move. Thomas Tuchel is keen to reunite with the playmaker at Bayern Munich but it is widely reported that he would rather head to the Etihad Stadium.

Joao Felix has also been told that he will not be pursued at the end of the season following his loan spell at the club, despite the playmaker’s desire to remain and make his move from Atletico Madrid permanent. Pochettino is said to deem soon-to-be summer signing Christophe Nkunku as a better option to play behind a central striker, with Kai Havertz also an option in that role.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told AS: “Yesterday we had the news that the new Chelsea manager does not [want] Felix. We’ve known for less than 24 hours. He’ll come back here and we’ll see. We don’t have anything planned.”