Mason Greenwood’s Manchester United career will soon be over after Marseille agreed a deal worth £26.7m to bring the controversial forward to the south of France.
i understands personal terms are soon to be discussed with the two clubs having settled in a structured deal that also includes a sizeable sell-on clause, thought to be between 40-50 per cent.
As the majority of United’s squad reported back for pre-season training at United’s Carrington training base on Monday, Greenwood held a “brief” meeting with the club’s leadership group, with the focus on finding the 22-year-old a new club, sources said.
New director of football Dan Ashworth and sporting director Jason Wilcox are understood to have told Greenwood he had no future at the club and United will seek a sale this summer.
The funds will help new co-owners Ineos continue with their squad overhaul, with supporters buoyed by how unusually fast things are moving for United in the transfer market.
Several other clubs across Europe had expressed an interest, with Lazio another front-runner, but Marseille came closest to meeting United’s asking price.
Greenwood did not take part in training at Carrington on Monday and has not done so since his arrest in January 2022. Charges of attempted rape, controlling behaviour and assault against Greenwood were dropped in February last year, with United and the player deciding it best that he resume his career elsewhere following a six-month internal investigation. He denied the allegations and has not been convicted of any offences.
Some Marseille fans have pleaded with their club not to do “irreversible damage” to values by signing the 22-year-old. The mayor of Marseille, Benoit Payan, has also publicly expressed his disapproval.
Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi, however, seems willing to give Greenwood a fresh start in Ligue 1.
“He’s a champion, an international level player,” De Zerbi said. “I don’t know what happened, I’m not concentrating on private lives. When a player signs for the club, I consider him my child. Even if I can pull his ear in private, I will defend him publicly. My players are like my sons.”
The United academy graduate scored 10 goals on loan at Getafe last season and impressed with his all-round performances, helping him win plenty of admirers among clubs in France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
United will now start to accelerate incomings. Sources say they have had an offer accepted for Lille defender Leny Yoro, thought to be in the region of £45m, but the teenager defender is understood to prefer a move to Real Madrid.
A second bid for Jarrad Brathwaite was rejected by Everton, with the Toffees looking to recoup upwards of £60m for the left-sided centre-back’s services.
Matthijs de Ligt is another defender nearing a move to Old Trafford. The Netherlands international is understood to be keen on a move to Old Trafford, but the clubs cannot agree on a fee as yet. United insiders believe the 24-year-old could be prized from Germany for around £35m.
The club want to get a deal for Joshua Zirkzee tied up in the coming weeks. The Bologna striker has a £34m release clause in his contract, which United are willing to meet, but they are open to exploring a more structured payment deal with the Serie A side.
United see the Netherlands international as the perfect profile to provide Rasmus Hojlund with some support up front, but they have other options on their list, such as Lille’s Jonathan David.
With Ashworth now in place, Ineos are starting to make their moves. Further player sales will be required if they are to complete their on-field transformation before the start of the new campaign.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/bQNp2PR
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