Chelsea need to be all ears for Mount deal

THERE was excitement among United fans when news of personal terms being agreed with Mason Mount emerged.

- STEVEN RAILSTON

The truth is agreeing on personal terms in negotiations is rarely an issue at Old Trafford, meaning supporters should try their best not to get ahead of themselves until a transfer fee between the Reds and Chelsea has been agreed.

There are obviously exceptions to that general rule, just like last summer when a fee of £15million was agreed with Juventus to sign Adrien Rabiot, whose salary demands were deemed too large, but it's usually the case.

A difference in opinion in the valuation of a player is the most common stumbling block in deals and there was talk at the start of the window of Chelsea wanting in excess of £70m for Mount, which would be overpaying.

Mount is 24-years-old, an England international and his ceiling is yet to be reached, but his contract expires in the summer of next year and that context has been factored into the fee football director John Murtough is willing to pay for him.

The player is keen to make the move to Manchester and United have now tabled a second offer worth up to £50m for Mount, a deal which would see them pay an initial £45m fee, with a further £5m in addons.

Although that is an improvement on the first offer, Chelsea are holding out for around £15m more as part of the up-front transfer fee. The London club have made that £60m counter offer but United hope a compromise can be agreed.

The hopes of reaching that compromise might have also been increased with Arsenal set to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea in a deal worth around £65m, despite the player being under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2025.