Mason Greenwood’s move to Marseille appears to have hit some form of an impasse despite an agreement being in place between the French outfit and Manchester United.
Indeed, both clubs were ready to sign off on a £26.5 million package – £23m in an upfront fee plus £3m in add-ons, as well as a sizeable share of any future resale payment for United.
That was until Greenwood began to dig his heels in after growing ‘intimidated’ over the prospective transfer due to Marseille fans launching a ‘#GreenwoodNotWelcome’ campaign on social media and city mayor Benoit Payan speaking out to directly oppose the premise of welcoming the outcast forward to the club.
Payan said last week: “Greenwood’s behaviour is unspeakable, unacceptable. Hitting his wife… I saw images that deeply shocked me. Attacking his wife in this way is unworthy of a man, and I believe he cannot have a place in this team.
“The values of Marseille and the values of Olympique de Marseille are anything but that. It’s anything but racism and anti-Semitism. It’s anything but… can you imagine? Violence against women? Do you realise that? And he wants to play for Olympique de Marseille, Greenwood? It’s a disgrace.
“I will ask the president of Olympique de Marseille not to recruit Greenwood. I don’t want my club to be covered in the shame of someone who hits his wife. I don’t want my club to be covered in the ashes of someone who hits his wife like that. It’s not acceptable.”
Lazio attempt late hijack in Greenwood pursuit
As such, Lazio, who had previously tested United’s resolve with a £20m bid, are now doing their utmost to try and hijack the deal, so much so that sporting director Angelo Mariano Fabiani will reportedly fly to England to hold face-to-face talks with the player in hopes of convincing him of a switch to the Stadio Olimpico.
Italian outlet La Lazio Siamo Noi claims that Lazio president Claudio Lotito has an inkling they can make Greenwood have a change of heart, hence sending Fabiani to signal their intent with in-person negotiations.
When he eventually completes a permanent move away, it’ll mark over two years since the 22-year-old’s final game as a Red – a 1-0 win over West Ham on January 2022, 2022.
Eight days later, he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault before being charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in October 2022.
These charges were subsequently dropped in January 2023, but the sensitivity of the situation – understandably – made United fans hesitant to welcome him back at the club.
