Chelsea have refused to acknowledge that Mason Mount has joined Manchester United after confirming the departure of their 24-year-old academy graduate. After extensive transfer discussions and negotiations between the clubs, a deal worth in the region of £60million was finally agreed last week as Mount was handed permission to undergo a medical at Carrington on Monday.
Despite seeing three bids rejected by Chelsea, United refused to walk away from the table even though they repeatedly threatened to do so.
After their third proposal was rejected, Chelsea offered to meet United in person to iron out the small gap in valuation between the two parties as relationships threatened to sour.
But despite shaking hands on the transfer, Chelsea have failed to mention that Mount has moved to United in their club statement.
It read: “Mason Mount has today ended his 18-year association with Chelsea after completing a permanent move away from the club.”
Chelsea did, however, pay tribute to their former attacking midfielder’s achievements as he still represents one of Cobham’s greatest modern success stories after breaking into the first team under club legend Frank Lampard during the 2019/20 season.
Mount also attracted interest from Arsenal and Liverpool but in the end, he only wanted United as he was enchanted by the prospect of working with Erik ten Hag.
Following an emotional goodbye video to Chelsea fans, Mount was clear to point out that he did not take the decision to leave Stamford Bridge lightly after 18 years of service to the Blues.
He has since told United’s website: “It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career.
“Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squad it is that I’m joining, and I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies.
“Everyone can see that the club has made big steps forward under Erik ten Hag. Having met with the manager and discussed his plans, I couldn’t be more excited for the seasons ahead, and am ready for the hard work expected here.
“I am hugely ambitious; I know how amazing it feels to win major trophies and what it takes to do it. I will be giving everything to experience that again at Manchester United.”
Mount is adamant he made the right decision for his career after contract talks with Chelsea failed to progress.
The relationship between Mount’s inner circle and Chelsea quickly deteriorated in the second half of the 2022/23 season when contact between the parties became minimal.
Chelsea were not prepared to offer the kind of salary Mount’s reps desired and it soon became clear he was headed for the exit door.
At the time of his departure, Mount’s Chelsea contract was into its final year but the Blues still believed they have received a great fee for a player that was available on a free transfer in 2024.
Mount won the Champions League in 2021 with Chelsea and also lifted the Super Cup and Club World Cup with the Blues.
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