Man Utd identify Greenwood as 'makeweight' in bid to sign Serie A star

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 7 Jul 2023 22:01 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has been touted as a potential makeweight in the race to sign Atalanta star Rasmus Hojlund.

Greenwood, 21, is still under contract at Old Trafford until 2025, but he has been suspended by the club for nearly 18 months after he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault in January 2022.

Charges against Greenwood were dropped in February, but Man Utd have been conducting an internal investigation since then and he remains suspended by the club.

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However, the idea of Greenwood joining Atalanta on loan has been floated by Man Utd’s director of football John Murtough, according to the Daily Mail.

The Bergamo side are currently locked in negotiations with Man Utd over the possible transfer of 20-year-old striker Hojlund to Old Trafford, but a deal has not yet been struck. Reports suggest that United have seen two offers knocked back by Atalanta, who are holding out for a fee of around €60 million.

Including Greenwood in the deal could lower Atalanta’s asking price for Hojlund, while it would also shift the Englishman off the books temporarily.

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Hojlund has emerged as Man Utd’s leading candidate to become their new number nine, with Tottenham firm in their stance that Harry Kane is not for sale and Napoli demanding €150m for Victor Osimhen. The Dane notched nine Serie A goals last season and scored a hat-trick on his senior international debut.

When did Mason Greenwood last play football?

Greenwood’s last appearance for Manchester United came in a 1-0 win over West Ham on 22 January, 2022.

By the time he next plays a professional game, it will be at least 18 months after this encounter, although it does seem likely that he will continue his career as a professional footballer.

Controversy is sure to follow Greenwood wherever his next steps in the professional game take him due to the nature of the last 18 months.