Utd attain settlement with Marseille in precept over promoting Greenwood
Marseille have reached an agreement in principle with Mason Greenwood to sign the forward from Premier League giants Manchester United.
The two clubs had already agreed an initial fee of £27million plus £3.2m in add-ons to sign Greenwood, but they needed the 22-year-old’s approval to progress.
There has now been a verbal agreement between the player and the two clubs over the proposed transfer, but the deal has not yet been finalised.
Greenwood must travel to France to undergo a medical and sign the necessary paperwork before the transfer can be deemed ‘complete’.
The move to Marseille would see Greenwood play under Roberto De Zerbi, who was appointed by the Ligue 1 giants in June.
Marseille have reached an agreement in principle with Mason Greenwood to sign the forward from Premier League giants Manchester United
Although, a section of Marseille fans launched a #GreenwoodNotWelcome campaign over allegations of attempted rape and assault against the 22-year-old player.
Marseille mayor Benoit Payan also opposed the move, saying he would lobby the club’s president Pablo Longoria to call off the deal.
However, Greenwood has denied any wrongdoing and all charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service last year.
Despite the opposition to his transfer, Greenwood is eager to get the deal with the French giants over the line.
He returned to United’s training ground on Monday to speak with the club’s leadership team about leaving Old Trafford.
Greenwood has not played for Manchester United since January 2022 when the allegations first came out.
Greenwood had been charged with attempted rape, assault, and coercive behaviour in January 2022 after a series of harrowing images and voice recordings were shared online.
However the charges were dropped on February 2023 by the Crown Prosecution Service following the withdrawal of key witnesses. Greenwood has denied any wrongdoing.
The club continued its own internal investigation until August of that year – when it was announced he would leave by mutual agreement.
Marseille mayor Benoit Payan has publicly opposed Greenwood’s potential move to the club
Marseille fans started a protest movement in a bid to keep Greenwood from signing
Greenwood in a statement upon agreeing to leave United, said last August: ‘I want to start by saying I understand that people will judge me because of what they have seen and heard on social media, and I know people will think the worst.
‘I was brought up to know that violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong, I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges.
‘However, I fully accept I made mistakes in my relationship, and I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post.’
Greenwood was loaned out by the Red Devils and now looks set to leave on a permanent deal.
