The mayor of Marseille has asked the club not to sign Mason Greenwood because of his “indescribable” behaviour.
Manchester United have agreed a £26.7 million transfer for the striker with the French team.
3
The Pitch Prospect understands that the club will also include a 50 percent resale clause for the Red Devils in any future sale.
However, it is assumed that the personal conditions for a transfer still need to be clarified.
Greenwood spent last season on loan at Spanish club Getafe to rebuild his life and career.
The striker was arrested in January 2022 on suspicion of rape, assault and death threats after pictures and videos appeared on the Internet.
He was subsequently suspended from the club, but denied all allegations.
In February 2023, all charges were dropped by prosecutors “due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and new evidence.”
However, United still conducted an internal investigation after Greenwood left the club on loan, having not played for them since January 2022. It was mutually agreed that Greenwood should continue his career away from Old Trafford.
Although a transfer to Marseille was agreed, the city’s mayor, Benoit Payan, condemned the transfer and said he would speak to the club’s president and urge him to get out of the contract.
3
3
Speaking to French radio station RMC, Payan made numerous accusations and said: “I don’t want my club to be disgraced. That is not acceptable.”
Greenwood scored 35 goals in 129 games for Man United and 10 in 36 games for Getafe.
He returned to Manchester at the end of last season and it was unclear where he would play this season.
The club began pre-season training on Monday but Greenwood did not take part, although he is believed to have met with senior figures at the club to discuss his next steps.
They included new sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox. As The Pitch Prospect reported, there was interest from Serie A, but he is moving to the south of France.
Marseille appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new coach in the summer after he left Premier League club Brighton.