Mason Greenwood has dealt Manchester United a fresh blow by agreeing personal terms with Turkish club Fenerbahce, according to reports from L'Equipe. The forward, who currently plays for Olympique de Marseille, had previously expressed his desire to remain in France, but his time in Ligue 1 appears to be nearing an end.
Greenwood's Contract Situation and Marseille's Stance
Greenwood's contract with Marseille runs until June 2029, and he had been vocal about staying at the club. However, Fenerbahce has successfully negotiated a lucrative contract package with his representatives, according to the French sports daily. Marseille values Greenwood at €50 million this summer, but Fenerbahce is unwilling to pay more than €30 million plus add-ons.
This development is particularly significant for Manchester United, who inserted a 40 percent sell-on clause when they sold Greenwood to Marseille. The higher the transfer fee Marseille receives, the larger United's share. If Fenerbahce's offer stands, United would receive roughly €12 million from the base fee, plus a portion of any add-ons.
Potential Bidders and Financial Constraints
There remains hope that AS Roma could enter the bidding. Reports from Italy indicate that Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini believes Greenwood is the ideal wide player for his 3-4-3 formation. However, the Serie A side must focus on player sales to balance their books before June 30, which could delay or complicate any move.
Greenwood, who has not played for Manchester United since January 2022, scored 26 goals in 44 appearances for Marseille last season. Despite his productivity, he faced criticism for some performances, notably after a 3-0 defeat to Nantes last month.
Criticism from Marseille Legend
Following the loss to Nantes, France World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry launched a scathing attack on Greenwood. Dugarry, a former Marseille player, said: "You are the leader of this team, everyone depends on you. When you're not there, everyone feels your absence. And what do you give back after all those sacrifices? This? You're a disgrace, get out. That's the money you'll make for the club, but no one will cry for you. What he did against Nantes is shameful. I saw him walking around. At times I just looked at him and he was pretending. He doesn't care."
United will be watching developments closely, as any transfer fee directly impacts their financial return from Greenwood's sale. The 40 percent clause means United have a vested interest in Marseille securing the highest possible price.
