Chelsea letting Mason Mount head to Manchester United would be a "mind-blowing" decision and the Old Trafford club "won't believe their luck" if they get the transfer over the line.
That's the view of former Arsenal forward Paul Merson. United have agreed personal terms with the England midfielder over a move to Manchester, but are yet to agree a transfer fee with the Stamford Bridge side.
The 24-year-old has a year left to run on his contract at Chelsea and has not agreed a fresh deal. Mount is one of several players the London side are expected to sell this summer to trim down a big squad and also recoup funds after two transfer window splurges recently.
READ MORE: Mount admitted he 'fell in love' at Old Trafford before agreeing terms with United
United have made strengthening in the centre forward department a priority, but Erik ten Hag is also keen to add bodies to central midfield.
Retired Arsenal player Merson is bemused that Chelsea could allow Mount to head to a rival club which could end up 'haunting' them in the future. He believes the Stamford Bridge club are following a pattern from last summer which saw Antonio Rudiger move to Real Madrid and Merson cannot understand why Chelsea might strengthen a potential top-four rival for next season.
He told Sky Sports: "I cannot believe Chelsea are letting Mason Mount go. 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 £33m on a four-year contract which works out as more money than what they’d give Rudiger.
"Now they’re doing it with Mount. 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."
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
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