Jamie Redknapp and Paul Merson are both surprised at elements of Mason Mount's potential move to Manchester United this summer as Chelsea look set to lose their two-time player of the season. With ongoing contract issues and just over 12-months left on his current deal, the Blues are resigned to having to sell the 24-year-old, football.london understands.
There is still time to come to an agreement over an extension but the Red Devils are making quick moves to ensure that this doesn't drag on into the summer. Chelsea themselves benefit from this as Mauricio Pochettino prepares initial plans for his squad going into pre-season.
Mount himself is currently on holiday and not in a position to confirm or deny reports regarding his future. Attending the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, he was coy on suggestions of a transfer whereas teammates Ben Chilwell and Reece James were firm in their stance that they want him to remain at SW6.
READ MORE: Reece James and Ben Chilwell offer Mason Mount Chelsea exit response amid Man Utd 'contact'
Paul Merson agrees with that take, saying that it would be astonishing to let him join a Premier League rival. "I cannot believe Chelsea are letting Mason Mount go, he told Sky Sports
"We saw it last season with Antonio Rudiger, who was outstanding and one of the best defenders at the club. He asked for more money and they didn’t give him it and then they buy Kalidou Koulibaly for £33million on a four-year contract which works out as more money than what they’d give Rudiger."
Although Rudiger's move was less to do with money and more the timing of his exit with the club heavily impacted by sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich by the UK government, there is a sense of not wanting to repeat the same mistake again.
Both Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left for free last year when sizeable transfer fees could have been accrued, at worst. "Now they’re doing it with Mount," Merson continued. "He’s one of their own, he hasn’t had a very good season but they’re judging it just on one season. The year before he was Chelsea’s best player. He was one of the first names on the teamsheet for England. Now they’re letting him go. It’s mind-blowing.
"They’ll bring someone in who will probably take another year to get used to the league because they will have played abroad. You're also letting a very good footballer go to Manchester United or Liverpool, who Chelsea are fighting with to get into the top four next season. You couldn’t write it.
"How can you let him go to a club that could majorly haunt you? United won’t believe their luck if they get him."
United have reportedly offered £50million for his services, though Chelsea are keen to bring in more than £60million for the player despite him being available for free next summer.
Getting a price for him is part of the reason for making a decision this summer rather than letting it drag on throughout Pochettino's first season in charge, but the optics are still poor for the new owners, who have back-tracked with offers available to the Mount's camp throughout the year, football.london has found out.
It is now a deal that will create uproar within the fanbase, but Carragher believes he knows why there is more positive news coming from Manchester.
"Clubs normally feed information about a potential signing after a defeat to lift their supporters & change the narrative," he tweeted before the FA Cup final loss to Manchester City on Saturday. "Man United have fed the Mason Mount deal before the Cup Final, are their supporters that fearful & negative about today?!!"
Although this has little impact on Chelsea, it would explain the differing reports from both camps. For now, Chelsea have backed themselves into a corner with no bright way out.
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