Mason Mount remained coy on a potential summer transfer to Manchester United during an appearance with his Chelsea team-mates at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The England midfielder was present at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Sunday for a race won comfortably by reigning world champion Max Verstappen, alongside the likes of Ben Chilwell, Joao Felix and Reece James.
Mount’s future is subject to major speculation ahead of the transfer window officially opening for business next week, with his time at Stamford Bridge potentially coming to an end.
Standard Sport understands that Chelsea have opened formal talks with Manchester United over a deal for Mount, who is entering the final 12 months of his contract with no extension agreed despite previous talks with co-owner Todd Boehly.
The Blues are demanding a fee of £70million for their popular academy graduate and are reluctant but prepared to sell in order to avoid him leaving for nothing next summer, with United increasingly confident of an agreement as they plot an opening offer following their narrow defeat by Treble-chasing rivals Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in Mount, but United have stolen a march and hope to get their target for between £50-£60m, knowing Chelsea are under pressure to sell players quickly this summer.
Mount was not fit to play in Chelsea’s final game of a dismal Premier League season against Newcastle last weekend due to surgery on a persistent pelvic injury performed in April, but looked emotional as he joined the rest of the squad for their end-of-season lap of appreciation.
He has remained tight-lipped on his future and that was the case once again as he was approached by Sky’s Martin Brundle before the start of the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.
“Mason, he said you’re going to Manchester United,” joked Brundle after a chat with Chilwell, who told the commentator to approach his Blues team-mate.
Mount simply laughed off the question, replying: “I’m here to just enjoy this race today. It’s an amazing day, can’t wait to watch it.”
When Chilwell himself was asked about Mount’s future at Chelsea, he said: “That’s none of my business personally, but I’d love him to stay.
“He’s my best mate. Personally I’d love him to stay, but it’s not by business. I can’t really comment on that.”
James was also quizzed on Mount in Barcelona, insisting everyone at Chelsea would be sad to see him exit as he also talked up the potential impact of incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino after a dreadful 2022-23 season in west London that saw the club sink to their lowest top-flight finish since 1994.
“If he goes, everyone will be sad to see him go,” James said of Mount.
On Chelsea’s wretched campaign, he said: “It has been a tough year, we've had lots of injuries and we didn't finish in the best position but hopefully next year is better.
“Everyone is saying he [Pochettino] is a great manager. Hopefully next season we find our feet early and we're a good, strong side.”
