Manchester United are on the verge of sealing one of the club’s biggest ever player sales.
Cashing in on players has been a consistent problem for Manchester United through the years.
Former chief executive David Gill even admitted the £80 million sale of Cristiano Ronaldo was too low.
Despite Ronaldo’s first departure coming back in 2009, Manchester United have not been able to exceed it since. This latest upcoming sale of Mason Greenwood lags a long way behind – although it is in the top 10.
Mason Greenwood close to Man Utd exit
Mason Greenwood is closing in on a move away from Manchester United. His switch to Marseille is edging nearer.
United and Marseille reached an agreement over a fee last week, after Greenwood was informed he had no future at the club, in a meeting at Carrington.
Since then, the move has been in doubt after Marseille’s mayor recommended against the move. Lazio have remained in contact with United, in case it fell through.
Now, The Athletic report Mason Greenwood has accepted the move to Marseille. The next step is to undergo a medical and sign the contract.
But it looks like this exit is reaching a conclusion, in the best interests of everybody concerned.
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Where Mason Greenwood sale ranks
Manchester United are set to receive an initial £23.3 million for Mason Greenwood. This could rise to £26.7 million.
And then there is a large percentage sell-on fee up to 50 per cent, which could turn the sale of Mason Greenwood into a masterstroke.
A look at Manchester United’s biggest sales of all time shows Greenwood’s departure would be one United’s biggest ever.
Taking just the initial £23.3 million fee, it would be the seventh highest ever sale conducted by the club.
Include the add-ons to £26.7 million, and Greenwood’s exit would be Manchester United’s fourth highest sale of all time.
Only Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Angel di Maria have been sold at a higher price.
Factor in profit and loss, Greenwood’s exit would rank behind only Ronaldo, and David Beckham’s to Real Madrid in 2003, based on the initial sale figure alone. Include the add-ons, and Greenwood’s would exceed it.
If Manchester United were to later net a large sell-on percentage, this sale would be even more profitable for the club.
It’s possible United end up selling a player for an even higher fee this summer, with Casemiro linked to the Saudi Pro League – yet this would undoubtedly come at a loss.
Greenwood’s loan to Getafe has worked wonders to recover some of his transfer value. At one stage last summer, it was doubtful If any club would take him on.
To get to a point where United can cash in, should be welcomed by all concerned. Yes, the fee could have been even higher. But to get anything at all, is in itself somewhat miraculous.