Mason Greenwood might have left Manchester United, but the club could still benefit financially from his future transfers.
The 23-year-old forward, who joined Marseille last summer for £25.6 million, has been in sensational form, scoring 11 goals in 17 appearances across all competitions for the Ligue 1 side.
Although United ended their 17-year association with Greenwood, a significant sell-on clause in the transfer agreement means his continued success could prove lucrative for the Red Devils. Reports from TBR Football suggest the clause may be as high as 50%, ensuring United earn a substantial sum if Marseille sells him in the future.
Greenwood’s performances have reportedly attracted interest from top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Barcelona, who have been monitoring the Englishman for some time. A potential transfer fee of £60 million would see United receive around £30 million thanks to the sell-on clause.
The powers that be at Old Trafford would undoubtedly welcome such a deal with open arms given minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s financial prudency since taking over all footballing operations at the club last year. New manager Ruben Amorim will presumably be keen to bring in new players to mould the squad in his image, but with money a little tight at the moment, transfer plans have reportedly been scaled back.
A blockbuster move for Sporting CP hotshot Viktor Gyokeres is on the cards, but recent reports linking United with a loan move for PSG’s Randal Kolo Muani suggest that the Swede might be a little out of their price range – at least this month. After all, his release clause stands at £83m, and with clubs like Bayern Munich, PSG and Arsenal in the hunt for him too, there’s every chance he could cost even more than that.
Elsewhere, a move for Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan from Napoli at Galatasaray, has been touted. The Nigerian has been banging in goals in Turkey, but there is a break clause in his loan agreement that will allow him to sign for another club should Napoli receive an acceptable offer.
Ruben Amorim will be hoping that Mason Greenwood’s strong form continues ( Image: Getty Images)
Amorim is also reportedly keen to sign a wing-back or two this month. The position is pivotal in his 3-4-3 system, and it’s an area of the squad where United are particularly weak at the moment.
Marseille selling Greenwood, who spent last season on loan from United at La Liga club Getafe, would free up some funds for the Portuguese coach, but there’s no guarantee it’ll happen any time soon. Marseille are flying high in Ligue 1 at the moment, and sit just a place behind table-toppers PSG.
Greenwood has been central to their recent success, and a mid-season departure would be damaging for the club, who are desperate to bounce back and reclaim a Champions League spot after finishing eighth – their worst domestic performance in nearly a decade – in the 2023/24 campaign. Nevertheless, if his strong form continues, the French club may have little say in the matter.