Manchester United closing in on another surprise signing after FA Cup final

Mason Mount is being linked with a move to Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup final against Manchester City. The Chelsea player was anticipated to depart Stamford Bridge for Liverpool, with Arsenal also being connected. But he now appears to be the club’s latest surprise signing in recent years…

Manchester United is said to have accepted personal terms with Mount, who appeared upset after Chelsea’s final Premier League match of the season last weekend against Newcastle.

All they have to do now is agree on a fee with their competitors.

Liverpool was originally thought to be the frontrunner to sign Mount, with Chelsea content to lose their academy graduate.

But, perhaps unexpectedly, United appears to have stolen a march.

Mount is set to become the club’s latest surprise signing, continuing a trend that has begun in recent years.

Take last year as an example.

Erik ten Hag led United’s pursuit of Frenkie de Jong, whom he had previously coached at Ajax.

Adrien Rabiot was then a target, but the midfielder remained at Juventus despite a sum being agreed upon.

However, Casemiro arrived unexpectedly, with United doing their research on the Brazil international behind the scenes.

Few expected this, given that the Samba legend was a vital player for Real Madrid during his time at the Bernabeu.

It was an open secret in 2021 that Manchester United would go all out to recruit Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.

However, the biggest surprise signing of them all happened near the close of the transfer window.

Cristiano Ronaldo was anticipated to depart Juventus for Manchester City, who were willing to make him their first priority.

United, knowing they couldn’t afford to lose the veteran, intervened to bring the forward home.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had intended to sign Sancho a year ago.

However, when it became evident that a deal could not be reached late in the transfer window, Edinson Cavani arrived in Manchester instead.

United might have signed the Uruguay international earlier, given he spent many months as a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

So it was even more surprising when Cavani signed on the dotted line.

Sancho was once again Solskjaer’s top transfer target in 2019.

However, the Red Devils surprised their fans by signing Daniel James from Swansea, despite the fact that the Wales international was anticipated to join Leeds.

Fast forward to the present, and it appears that history is about to repeat itself.

Mount, like the rest of the world, could tune in on Sunday to see possibly the largest derby in history.

And whether he’s about to join a United team with two trophies instead of one remains to be seen.