Mason Greenwood’s Manchester United career is nearing an end after the club accepted a bid of £26.7million from Marseille, according to reports.
The 22-year-old has yet to agree terms with the Ligue 1 giants but, assuming an agreement can be reached, he will link up with new OM boss Roberto De Zerbi at the State Velodrome.
The Guardian report the deal for Greenwood includes an additional £3.8m in add-ons and a sell-on clause of 40-50 per cent of any fee.
Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour in October 2022 but the charges – which he denied – were dropped five months later after key witnesses withdrew their co-operation and new material came to light.
He was sent on loan to Getafe last season and managed 10 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions. Getafe president Angel Torres said in May he hoped to keep the one-time England international for another year but hinted United were looking to sell if a suitable offer came along.
Bienvenue dans la maison olympienne 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑫𝒆 𝒁𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒊 🏟️💙 pic.twitter.com/VwEI2urbqW
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) July 10, 2024
Marseille, who finished a disappointing eighth in the league last season, are likely to face a backlash from fans if the deal goes through.
The city’s mayor Benoit Payan has already expressed his view that he does not want Greenwood to sign, telling RMC Sport: “He cannot have his place on this team.
“The values of OM and Marseille are anything but that in fact. It’s a shame. I will ask [Marseille president] Pablo Longoria not to recruit Greenwood.”
Asked about the possibility of Greenwood joining, De Zerbi said: “Mason is a world-class player, but we have not recruited him yet.
“I don’t know what happened, but I am not used to getting involved in my players’ private lives. But if he comes here, you have to know that I treat all my players like my sons. I can tell them off in private, but I would never attack them in public.”
