First, there were links with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Then, Borussia Dortmund.
But as one Manchester United player closes in on his long-discussed permanent departure from Old Trafford, the battle for his signature appears to have turned into a two-horse race with none of the aforementioned trio even getting out of the starting gates.
The two clubs to make serious, cash bids for Mason Greenwood are not Barcelona or Atletico. But, rather, Lazio and Marseille.
Marseille are leading the race and closing in on £27 million deal, per The Times.
The chance to kick-start his career at a historic, hugely well-supported club like the French giants is expected to be one Greenwood is keen to seize now that it has become clear that his Man United career would not be revived after that Getafe loan spell.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Greenwood has been offered a deal until 2029 at the Stade Velodrome.
Manchester United will sell Mason Greenwood to Marseille
Man United will make nearly £30 million initially – an outstanding piece of business from a Financial Fair Play perspective – and could be set for another windfall later down the line after inserting a 50 per cent sell-on clause into his Marseille deal.
But while the 1993 European Champions appear to be closing in on the finish line, fellow suitors Lazio do not seem ready to give up just yet.
“We were already negotiating with Greenwood last year,” director Angelo Fabiani tells Sky Italia, the one-time England international a Biancocelesti target since 2023.
“We are still in contact with Manchester (United), even if there are disruptive actions typical of the market.”
One can only assume that, by ‘disruptive actions’, he means Marseille racing into pole position.
Roberto de Zerbi, the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss who was heavily linked with Man United before Ineos opted to keep the faith in Erik ten Hag, indicated on Tuesday that he would be willing to take the ‘world-class’ Greenwood under his wing despite opposition from some quarters at his potential arrival at Marseille.
French giants lead race but Lazio not giving up
“I don’t know his past, I don’t know exactly what happened,” De Zerbi begins, via Made in Foot, referring to Greenwood’s suspension by Man United back in January 2022.
“Honestly, I don’t like to get involved in the private lives of players. So there you go, I have nothing to say about it. The only thing I can tell you is that no matter the players, once they sign here, they become like my children. So I really protect them against all odds.
“Maybe behind the scenes, in private, I’ll pull their ears. But, in public, I’ll always protect them and I’ll always defend them as if they were my sons.”
While Angelo Fabiani is keeping the door open for Greenwood to choose Lazio instead, club president Claudio Lotito appears ready to bring an end to this year-long pursuit.
Lazio, Lotito claims, have now shifted their focus to an as-yet unnamed player ‘ten times better’ than Greenwood.
But with some Marseille fans showing their displeasure at a move, lets not rule out the potential of a supporter backlash throwing it all off – which might make Lazio’s continued contact quite useful.