Mason Mount has signed for Manchester United (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta was adamant Arsenal had won the race to sign Chelsea star Mason Mount and felt the midfielder was keen on joining the Gunners.
The England international has signed a five-year deal with Manchester United and the move is set to be made official in the next 24 hours.
Mount posted a farewell message to Chelsea supporters on Tuesday night, claiming the move was the ‘right’ one for his career.
There was no shortage of interest in Mount once it became apparent that the midfielder was unwilling to sign a new contract extension at Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp is a long-term admirer of Mount and the German was keen to sign the England international to bolster his midfield.
But Andy Mitten says Arteta was convinced that Mount would join Arsenal because of the Gunners’ title challenge last season and his desire to remain in London.
Arteta was convinced Mount would sign for Arsenal (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Mount was born in Portsmouth and his family reside in the south of England.
But Erik ten Hag was pivotal in Mount’s decision, with the midfielder impressed by the Dutchman’s in-depth knowledge of his game.
Ten Hag attempted to sign Mount in 2019 when he was Ajax manager, after being impressed with the midfielder’s loan spell at Vitesse.
Mount is viewed as a long-term replacement for Christian Eriksen, who impressed during his debut campaign at Old Trafford but tired in matches past the hour-mark.
Arsenal are set to sign Mount’s closest friend, Declan Rice, on a deal worth £105m.
The final elements of the deal were agreed late on Tuesday night, with Rice set to undergo a medical this week.
MORE : Ray Parlour backs Kai Havertz to emulate Martin Odegaard at Arsenal following Chelsea transfer
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Awkward…