Mason Mount was Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's prime target to strengthen their midfield this summer.
United claim they saw off interest from Liverpool and Arsenal to agree personal terms with Mount, 24, in May. Mount showed a "strong desire" to join United.
With Frenkie de Jong wedded to Barcelona and Jude Bellingham bound for Real Madrid, Ten Hag identified Mount as the most suitable option to add creativity to the United squad.