Manchester United will have to compromise on one transfer priority this summer

Manchester United took their first major step forward in a summer of massive investment on Thursday, agreeing a fee with Chelsea for Mason Mount.

An initial payment of £55million will head to Stamford Bridge, with the 24-year-old set for a medical once he returns from holiday, having already agreed personal terms in May. United will hope they end up paying the extra £5million of performance-related add-ons, a small price for the success it would represent.

A technical midfielder has been towards the top of Erik ten Hag's shopping list since he arrived over a year ago. The failed pursuit of Frenkie de Jong throughout last summer showed exactly what the Dutchman wanted, and his eagerness to prioritise Mount was further evidence.

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The England international fits the bill for a Ten Hag midfielder in that he is tactically malleable, technically gifted and hardworking. The argument the club overpaid for him is a fair one, particularly given he was entering the final 12 months of his contract.

And United do not have the luxury of infinite wealth - in fact it is quite the opposite. Financial Fair Play concerns have seen the purse strings tightened at Old Trafford, with Mount essentially cutting this summer's initial budget - believed to be around £100-120million - in half.

Ten Hag still wants a first choice goalkeeper and a world class striker, two positions he arguably needed more than a midfielder given the absence of current options in either role. But there is only so much money left to play with,