Marseille Urged Not to Sign Mason Greenwood Amid Controversy
Marseille, the football club based in the French city, is facing criticism from the mayor, Benoit Payan, who has urged the team not to sign Manchester United forward, Mason Greenwood. Multiple sources have confirmed that Marseille has had a bid accepted for the 22-year-old player, with the potential transfer fee reaching around £27m. However, personal terms still need to be agreed upon to finalize the deal.
The controversy surrounding Greenwood stems from criminal charges that were brought against him, including attempted rape and assault. However, these charges were dropped in February 2023. Despite this, Mayor Payan expressed his concerns, stating that he does not want his club to be associated with shame and finds it unacceptable to bring Greenwood on board.
This is not the first time Greenwood’s future at Manchester United has been called into question. In August, the club announced that, following an internal investigation, it had been “mutually agreed” that Greenwood should pursue his career elsewhere. As a result, the young English international spent the last season on loan with Spanish side Getafe.
Greenwood still has one year left on his contract with Manchester United. Sources reveal that he had a brief meeting with senior officials from the club on Monday, during which it was emphasized once again that he needed to leave. It seems that both the club and the player are eager for a fresh start.
BBC Sport has reached out to Marseille and Greenwood’s representatives for a response regarding the mayor’s concerns. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and whether Marseille will proceed with their bid for Greenwood. The talented forward’s future is uncertain, but it is clear that his past controversies continue to cast a shadow over his career prospects.