Mason Greenwood: Man Utd striker to be SOLD this week despite ‘SHAME’ comment

Robin Bairner

11 Jul 2024 07:57 BST
4 min read

Mason Greenwood, Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille — © IMAGO

Mason Greenwood’s future has been subject to a dramatic U-turn, with Marseille now stalling on a deal to sign the Manchester United striker as Lazio prepare to swoop in.

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Greenwood had made a switch to the Ligue 1 side his top priority, yet an attack on the player’s character launched by Mayor of Marseille Benoit Payan appears to have changed the course of the 22-year-old’s destiny.

Payan hit out over the “shame” he would feel if OM signed the once-capped England forward, who was subject to a criminal investigation following charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. This was ultimately dropped, with Greenwood denying all charges pressed against him, yet Man Utd decided after an internal investigation that he was not fit to play for the club.

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Following a year with Getafe, Greenwood had been primed to move to Marseille, but Di Marzio reports that OM are stalling on a deal in the face of public opinion.

“Greenwood remains halfway between Marseille and Lazio: the Man Utd player was very close to the French club but the negotiations were put on hold after the words of the Mayor Benoit Payan,” Di Marzio states.

“Greenwood remains a concrete objective for Lazio, who are awaiting the evolution of the situation with Marseille. Roberto De Zerbi, the new coach of the French team, is trying to convince the player, especially after the words of the mayor of the city who also pushed the fans against the young Englishman.”

The report goes on to state that “the deal is expected to be completed” by Friday.

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What did Marseille’s Mayor say about Greenwood?

“Greenwood’s behaviour is unspeakable, unacceptable,” Payan told RMC Sport.

“Hitting his wife… I saw images that deeply shocked me. Massacring his wife in this way is unbecoming of a man and 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 Pablo Longoria not to recruit Greenwood. I don’t want my club to be covered with the shame of someone who hits his wife.”

If he comes here, you have to know that I treat all my players like my sons

- Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille's head coach

De Zerbi, meanwhile, took a softer line on the player, stating: “Mason Greenwood is a world class player but we have not recruited him yet.

“I don't know what happened but I am not used to get involved in my players' private life. 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.”

Greenwood is expected to fetch around €27 million plus a big sell-on fee for Man Utd reported to be in the region of 50%.