are closing in on the signing of star , in a move that has been five years in the making for .
Chelsea have lowered their £75m asking price for the England international, who reiterated to the Blues this week that he has no intention of signing a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
That decision followed an improved offer from United for Mount of around £50m, which Chelsea rejected.
Though United will not extend their offer much further, it’s clear that Mount is a player that Ten Hag is determined to sign.
While his qualities are clear, Ten Hag’s determination to sign Mount has been a long time in the making.
The midfielder first crossed the Dutchman’s pass during his time with Vitesse in Holland.
Mount set-up Vitesse’s third goal in a 3-2 win against Ten Hag’s Ajax in 2018, and the Dutchman tracked the midfielder’s progress during the rest of his season on loan in Holland.
Mount impressed for Vitesse, scoring 14 goals and providing ten assists.
After ending his season-long loan deal with Vitesse, Mount joined Frank Lampard’s Derby County in the Championship.
But Ten Hag made an attempt to sign Mount for Ajax that very summer and made an offer to Chelsea for the midfielder.
Lampard’s influence swung Chelsea’s decision and Mount moved to the midlands.
Had Mount have joined Ajax, he would have been part of the side’s famous run to the Champions League semi-finals where they beat the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus before being knocked out by Spurs in stoppage time.
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