Manchester United are looking at a smart solution to draw a line under the Mason Greenwood situation.
Mason Greenwood was back at Carrington this week, briefly. Manchester United held talks with Mason Greenwood, before he left without taking part during pre-season.
There is no future for Mason Greenwood at Manchester United. Despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe indicating he would be open minded to all eventualities, Ineos have decided to sell the forward after a season on loan at Getafe.
Talks are ongoing over a sale, with French side Marseille overtaking Italian club Lazio as frontrunners to sign him. The Athletic report an agreement is in place, pending Mason Greenwood’s agreement.
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Manchester United look for large sell-on clause
Manchester United wanted a huge fee of around £40-50 million for Mason Greenwood. Just yet, this does not appear to be forthcoming.
United are instead seeking to take a lower fee – supplemented by a larger sell-on clause into the contract.
Fabrizio Romano explains via X: “Olympique Marseille official proposal for Mason Greenwood revealed on Monday is worth €30m plus big sell-on clause.
“Future sale percentage considered crucial by Man Utd, it can be around 40/50% with final round of talks now ongoing.”
A 40 or 50 per cent sell on clause is a huge figure for Manchester United to lock in. The Athletic say ‘a large share of any future sale’ is part of the agreement.
Mason Greenwood’s talent is not in dispute. This was a player who struck 17 goals in his first full season at Manchester United as a teenager, setting records, providing hope he could become one of the club’s key hopes for the future.
While he is no longer wanted at United, he is in demand, and can fetch a far higher fee in the future.
At a new club, with a full pre-season behind him, and with his value inflated by a long-term contract, Mason Greenwood could fetch a very high fee in the future.
While interest from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid has not materialised into offers this summer, both clubs could follow his progress.
If, say, Marseille sell Greenwood for £50 million in the future, Manchester United could net a substantial future fee of £25 million on top of the £25 million received for him this summer.
It is a potential masterstroke, a reminder that Ineos are running things at Old Trafford, with a new smart approach taking place to maximise value of the club’s assets.
Ex-Premier League stars thrive at Marseille
There is a strong case Marseille would be a good place for Mason Greenwood to relaunch his career, in football terms.
The Ligue 1 club has seen Alexis Sanchez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang flourish in recent seasons, when they were considered finished at the top level.
Mason Greenwood is younger and better than both players, and could excel in Ligue 1.
If Greenwood becomes the player many believe he is capable of being, Marseille won’t hang onto him for long, aiding Manchester United’s chances of a lucrative sell-on fee.