“Over Rated but…” – Man United have addressed Gary Neville ‘concern’ in Mason Mount transfer pursuit

Manchester United have stepped up their chase of Mason Mount in recent weeks, addressing one of Gary Neville’s biggest transfer ‘concerns’.

Mount’s 18-year stay at Chelsea appears to be coming to an end this summer, with the midfielder nearing the final year of his contract and ongoing talks showing little progress. Several Premier League clubs, including Manchester City and Liverpool, have been monitoring the situation.

However, the Reds firmly established themselves as the favorites to sign the 24-year-old with two formal bids, the most recent of which was worth up to £50 million. Despite Chelsea’s rejection of that bid, Mount remains the club’s most pressing issue, and there is still hope that a deal can be struck.

A quick resolution would be evidence of prior years’ lessons learned, with the club frequently lingering over big-name targets and missing out. Most recently, the pursuit of Frenkie De Jong lasted the entire summer before finally fizzling out.

“I think every Manchester United fan is a little bit tired of us,” Neville told the Overlap last summer. “I said that about Sancho, and I’m saying it again about De Jong.

“It gets to the point where a signing that should be exciting for the club drags on for far too long, so far that you actually lose excitement for the signing.”

“It almost becomes an embarrassment — and it’s still happening.” So I’m really concerned about the fact that they’re still unable to complete signings.”

Mount’s potential transfer is still a long way off, with Chelsea standing firm in their value, which is thought to be over £70 million. According to sources, their offer is ‘generous’ and there is a reluctance to overpay for a player entering the final year of his contract.

However, there is an element of simplicity in that the cost is the only remaining stumbling block. Mount agreed to personal terms at the end of May, with his representation already holding the essential conversations with the club in preparation for the move.

Tackling the most serious issue first will allow Erik Ten Hag to concentrate his efforts elsewhere, with a world-class No.9 on the summer shopping list. A first-choice goalkeeper is also required, with David De Gea poised to leave at the end of his contract, and other reinforcements are being examined.

It will also help to right some of the wrongs of previous summers when United was unable to complete significant moves.