Reports suggest that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has secured the services of Mason Mount from Chelsea, in a bid to alleviate the strain on star player Bruno Fernandes.
The deal for the England international, estimated to be worth £55million with potential to increase to £60m after additional payments, will see Mount swap Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford in the coming summer.
Mount’s acquisition by United has been widely speculated, given the midfielder’s Chelsea contract was nearing its end with only 12 months remaining. According to GiveMeSport, Ten Hag views the England star as an asset to help distribute some of Fernandes’ workload.
Fernandes had a packed schedule last season, appearing in an astonishing 74 games for both his club and national team. The United midfielder managed to net 14 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils, surpassed only by Marcus Rashford in terms of goal count.
Fernandes was equally proficient in providing opportunities for his teammates, contributing 13 assists throughout the season. It is reported that Ten Hag aims to ‘lighten the load for Fernandes’, especially with the additional pressure of Champions League football in the coming season.
The article also sheds light on the current state of affairs concerning Jadon Sancho. When Sancho was signed from Borussia Dortmund in the 2021 summer transfer window, expectations for his performance were sky-high.
However, two years after his arrival, the 23-year-old forward has struggled to meet those lofty expectations. As a result, there have been growing whispers about a potential departure from United, especially as the club is keen on generating funds for further acquisitions.
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Despite the speculation, it seems that Sancho will be granted one more opportunity to demonstrate his value before Ten Hag considers offloading him. It’s noteworthy that Sancho’s transfer from Dortmund had cost United a hefty £73m just two years prior.
