OFFICIAL: Marseille sign Man Utd forward Mason Greenwood

Tom Weber

Updated: 18 Jul 2024 19:20 BST
3 min read

Marseille have officially completed the signing of Mason Greenwood.

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The Manchester United academy product has departed the club at last. The Red Devils had been desperate to offload the disgraced forward to raise funds for incomings and they have finally succeeded after a protracted saga.

Greenwood had suitors in Italy and Spain, but in the end, French giants Marseille won out after offering Man Utd a fee of €30 million and a whopping 50 per cent sell-on clause. Despite a swift agreement between the clubs, it took a while for the green light from the player to arrive.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer news

The Englishman was in lengthy salary negotiations with the Ligue 1 side and also carefully considered the transfer after the prospect of his arrival was met with resistance from fans and even the Mayor of Marseille, who described it as 'shameful' and the 22-year-old's behaviour as 'unspeakable.'

In 2022, Greenwood was arrested and charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The charges were eventually dropped, but his innocence was never proven.

Marseille sign Greenwood

Despite the outcry, Greenwood assented to the Marseille switch on Tuesday after agreeing personal terms. New coach Roberto de Zerbi was reportedly pushing hard to secure the former Man Utd attacker's signature.

Lazio had also tabled a formal offer but were blown out of the water by Marseille. Additionally, Juventus and Napoli were credited with an interest in Greenwood, while Getafe, where he resurrected his career on loan last season, also publically expressed their desire to prolong his stay.

Now, Marseille have officially completed this controversial transfer in a bid to improve their squad after a disappointing eighth-placed finish in 2023/24. Man Utd, meanwhile, will be delighted to have secured a significant fee for a player who did not have a future at the club.