Lionel Messi's praise for Mason Mount resurfaces as Man Utd transfer moves closer

Lionel Messi has already given Mason Mount his seal of approval ahead of his prospective move to Manchester United.

The Red Devils are closing in on the signing Mount after agreeing a £60 million deal with Chelsea last week which reportedly includes a potential £5million in performance related add-ons.

It is thought that he will sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford, after struggling to agree on the terms of a new deal at Stamford Bridge.

The England international was at Carrington for his medical on Monday and looks set to become United's first signing of the summer transfer window, with Erik ten Hag eager to strengthen his midfield.

Despite being just 24, Mount already has bags of experience, having made 129 Premier League appearances for the Blues, scoring 27 goals and providing a further 24 assists.

But it's not just Ten Hag who's a fan of the midfielder, with some of the biggest names in football raving about the Portsmouth-born midfielder.

Few names are bigger than Messi though, who has predicted big things for the player.

What did Messi say about Mount?

Speaking an interview back in 2020, Messi was tasked with selecting a group of young players who had the potential to reach the top of the game.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner opted to include Mount in his list, waxing lyrical about the Englishman.

"Having watched him play he has the potential to be one of the best," said Messi.

Meanwhile, Messi's former teammate Kylian Mbappe also sung Mount's praises. When asked to name three players that he would like to read interviews with in the next edition of France Football magazine, the Paris Saint-Germain star chose Mount.

"Mason Mount, because he is a superb player that we don't yet know much about," said Mbappe.