Marseille could choose to cash in on Mason Greenwood this summer with his future in Ligue 1 in doubt, but Manchester United may not get the windfall they were expecting from a deal
Mason Greenwood looks dejected
Mason Greenwood could leave Marseille on the cheap(Image: AFP or licensors)
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Manchester United will receive a portion of Marseille's profits should they choose to sell Mason Greenwood this summer, but the windfall could be far less than the Reds will have expected. The 24-year-old broke through the Carrington youth system in 2018, going on to score 35 goals in 129 games.
However, following allegations and charges of rape in 2022 - which were dropped the following year - Greenwood joined Getafe on a season-long loan in 2023, his future in Greater Manchester under speculation. The forward was then sold on to Marseille the following summer for around £26.7million, with United inserting a sell-on clause into the deal.
It means that United reserve the right to take 40 per cent of Marseille's fee on Greenwood's sale, should they choose to part ways with him. With 48 goals and 17 assists from 81 appearances since making the move to France, the Bradford-born forward should command a hefty fee for his services.
However, Marseille could be forced to shift Greenwood on the cheap this summer, given UEFA's warning over compliance with financial regulations. As per AP, Marseille have been threatened with a one-year ban from European competition and an £8.6m fine should they fail to meet their football earnings target in 2026/27.
That could force the club to take action in terms of moving on some of their biggest stars to ensure that they don't fall foul of the ruling, Greenwood included.
It is suggested that Roma are the most interested party in the forward this summer, with reports surfacing that the Serie A stalwarts had tabled an offer of £34m.
That included a £4.3m paid loan, a £21m option to buy, and £8.6m in bonuses. However, Marseille are said to be unconvinced by the offer, with Corriere dello Sport claiming that the club command at least £47m for Greenwood.
That's still £5m cheaper than the £52m release clause that will be a part and parcel of Greenwood's contract from July 1, but Roma are understood to be hesitant to pay the full asking price.
In a separate case, Roma were fined £5.2m for missed financial targets of their own in a previous round of settlement talks, impeding their transfer business slightly this summer given that money could have been used for the purchase of Greenwood.
Should Marseille get the £47m fee they are asking for, United would receive a windfall of £18.8m due to the clause in his current deal.
However, should Marseille hold off and wait for an activation of his £52m release clause which takes effect next month, the Reds would be around £2m better off.