Manchester United are hoping to auction Mason Greenwood off to the highest bidder after receiving a £30million bid from Lazio.
Greenwood is poised to leave United permanently this summer following a successful loan spell at Getafe last season in which he returned 10 goals and six assists in 36 appearances. The 22-year-old enjoyed his time in Spain and, while a permanent move to Getafe was never likely, he is hoping to find a new club in the country.
However, it seems his future may lie in Italy after Lazio made the first move in a brewing transfer battle by submitting a £30m bid for his services, according to The Times. Juventus and Napoli are also in the running for Greenwood’s signature, while Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have also been credited with interest.
United are in no rush to sell and the widespread interest means they are in a strong position when it comes to getting their asking price of £40m. Greenwood is under contract with United until June 2025 but knows there is no way back at his boyhood club, who took the decision to move on last summer. They may have to convince him that the best financial offer for the club is also in his best interests.
The striker was arrested in October 2022 and was subsequently charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Those charges were dropped in February 2023 by the Crown Prosecution Service, but after an internal review, United decided he wouldn’t play another game for the club.
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Lazio were one of the clubs interested in signing Greenwood on loan last summer before Getafe won that race. The Rome-based side have included performance-based add-ons in their bid, which edges it closer to United's valuation, but the club will wait for more offers.
Like many clubs, United's summer transfer plans are limited by the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. They can only go to a net spend of around £50m but the sale of Greenwood could provide an important boost to their reserves. Having come through the academy, Greenwood would count as pure profit, making his sale particularly lucrative.
Mason Greenwood is attracting a lot of transfer interest this summer (Getty Images)Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to change United’s approach in the transfer market after what he sees as years of wastefulness under the previous regime. To fund an overhaul of the squad, United know they need to shift unwanted players first.
Greenwood and Jadon Sancho are the most valuable assets they have available. United are hoping a permanent sale of Sancho can be agreed with Borussia Dortmund, who took the winger on loan in January following a falling out with Erik ten Hag. With Ratcliffe deciding to keep Ten Hag for the 2024/25 season, it seems there is no way back for Sancho.
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