Mikel Arteta 'thought Mason Mount was signing for Arsenal' before Man Utd transfer

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was reportedly convinced Mason Mount would sign for the Gunners this summer before the England international sealed his £60million switch to Manchester United from Chelsea. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder had failed to make progress with the Blues in talks over a new long-term contract and relations between the two parties began to deteriorate when Chelsea made it clear they were not willing to match the salary demands proposed by Mount's representatives.

Mount has not been short of interest and given he was rapidly approaching the final year of his Chelsea contract, it soon became clear he would be heading for the exit door this summer.

Should Mount have joined Arsenal, he would have been handed the chance to team up with close friend Declan Rice who is set to join the Gunners in a British-record £105m deal.

Now United supporters will be relishing the chance to witness a midfield trio of Mount, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as they gear up for the return of Champions League football.

His online goodbye video to Blues supporters has been met with vicious scrutiny from the fans that used to adore him.