It has been reported that Manchester City were genuinely interested in signing now-Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount.
This comes from The Athletic, as the former Chelsea attacker has joined Erik ten Hag’s side in a deal worth £55 million (Guardian).
It seems like Manchester City were keen on bringing Mason Mount to the Etihad Stadium, before he decided to join Manchester United.
Manchester City were keen on Mason Mount transfer
After Ilkay Gundogan left the treble-winners to sign for Barcelona, Declan Rice was reportedly viewed as his replacement.
However, with Pep Guardiola’s men deciding to ‘pull out of the race’ to seal a move for the Arsenal-bound dynamo, the German international is yet to be replaced at the Etihad Stadium.
However, it has been reported that another midfielder that Manchester City had their sights set on signing is Manchester United new-boy Mason Mount.
Apart from the Reds and the Sky Blues, the other teams in the Premier League that were keen on his signature were Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Mason Mount would have been a cracking addition for the treble-winners
Ultimately, Mason Mount chose to join Manchester United, as Manchester City remain in need of a brand-new advanced midfielder to effectively succeed Ilkay Gundogan.
While Mateo Kovacic’s arrival has been met with all smiles, it is worth emphasising that he is a classic No.8 and not one that would thrive in the final third.
The same cannot be said about Mount, who is a hybrid between a central midfielder and a No.10.
At City, the Champions League winner, branded as a ‘top player’ by Phil Foden via Rio Ferdinand’s official YouTube channel would have been a brilliant fit in the vacant left-sided attacking midfield role.
Much like Gundogan, Mount is also well capable of arriving late outside the box and scoring goals.
On the half-turn, the 24-year-old is known to wriggle out of pressure without breaking a sweat, whilst being technically sound and a tireless pressure.
Mason Mount would likely have reached a new level under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage but he looks likely to elevate his game under Erik ten Hag now.
