Erik ten Hag confident he can convince key target to join Man Utd over Liverpool

Erik ten Hag is confident he can persuade Mason Mount to join Manchester United this summer.

Mount has entered the final year of his contract at Chelsea with it now looking increasingly likely he will leave Stamford Bridge this summer

Arsenal and Liverpool are both eager to sign the England international but ten Hag is pushing for his club to agree a deal as part of his rebuild at Old Trafford. According to The Telegraph, the Dutchman is convinced he can get the player on board and join United over their rivals.

Ten Hag wants a new striker and a no8 as part of his plans to close the gap on Manchester City this summer with Mount believing the Dutchman’s set-up is the best fit for him going forward, recent reports suggest.

Signing Mount would also serve as a major blow to Liverpool’s summer plans. Jurgen Klopp has identified the 24-year-old as a key target in his efforts to rebuild his midfield alongside Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister.

The Chelsea star appeared to say farewell to the club as he joined the end-of-season lap of appreciation after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on the final day of the 2022-23 season.

Mount has played just 16 minutes of Premier League action since February as the result of a pelvic injury that required him to undergo minor surgery last month.

United are said to be preparing a £55million bid his potential arrival in Manchester has been questioned by two of the club’s most influential midfielders over the years in Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.

‘I wouldn’t be so sure about Mount,’ Keane told Sky Sports. ‘They’ve been linked with lots of players but the one who would excite you is Kane. He’s gone off the boil a little bit.

He added: ‘I know he can bounce back and he’s got qualities, I was raving about him a few years ago but he’s just gone missing this last year or two, again, one or two injuries, the fact he can’t get in a bad Chelsea team.

‘I wouldn’t be hanging my hat too much on him, in terms of improving United and closing the gap, I think he’s a good player but would be improve Man United? I’m not so sure.

Scholes commented earlier in the week: ‘Look, I like Mason Mount… does he do enough? I thought when he first came onto the scene, ‘have got a new Frank Lampard?’. I know we talked before about not comparing players to these types.

‘But I expected him to score goals, a lot more goals, in big games, to win you games, he hasn’t really kicked on from there. I think a change of club might not be a bad thing for him.’

MORE : Ian Wright reveals the two areas Chelsea need to strengthen as he urges Mauricio Pochettino to sign new goalkeeper

MORE : Brentford set asking price for Chelsea or Manchester Untied to sign David Raya

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.