Manchester United’s summer might just be about to begin.
While a bid is in for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and as confidence grows surrounding a deal for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, a couple of high-profile departures would work wonders for a club who still need to raise funds via player sales before the Ineos rebuild can truly get underway.
Victor Lindelof to Fenerbahce now feels like a very real possibility. There is interest in Jadon Sancho. The sale of Mason Greewood, meanwhile, would represent Pure Profit in Financial Fair Play terms.
A very valuable exit both from a sporting and a financial perspective, even if the Bayern Munich-bound Michael Olise will no longer be arriving as a result to boost Erik ten Hag’s options on the right wing.
Mason Greenwood’s Manchester United exit edging closer
According to Gianluca di Marzio, probably the most reliable reporter in Italy, Greenwood has given his preference to Juventus. There is, however, rival interest from Serie A neighbours Lazio.
Could a bidding war be about to break out? Manchester United will be hoping so, having already turned down an offer from the Bianconeri and holding out for considerably more.
Di Marzio reported today that Lazio are set to step on the accelerator in the coming hours. United want around £30 million. Lazio’s opening bid of £20 million plus a 50 per cent sell on clause has been rejected by the Red Devils.
There are suggestions, via Il Messaggero, that highly-rated goalkeeper Christos Matsos could also be offered to United as a sweetener in the deal.
“Very important player,” Lazio legend Bruno Giordano tells Radio Sei of Greenwood, the one-time England international a potential statement signing for a side who finished an underwhelming seventh in Serie A last term.
“It would be an important coup, one that the fans always hope for. A footballer who can play in multiple roles, who creates havoc, and would make the difference in our championship.
“The fact that the club values this type of player means that there has been an awareness of the lack of quality players in the squad. The former Getafe player is a top level footballer,” adds Giordano, who played over 200 Serie A games for Lazio before joining Napoli in 1985.
“You hardly end up playing for teams like Manchester United by chance.”
Serie A move looks likely now
Greenwood scored 10 goals on loan at Getafe last term. He picked up the club’s Player of the Year award too.
Getafe president Angel Torres has not given up on retaining Greenwood’s services for 2024/25 either. But it would make little sense for United to loan the 22-year-old out again when there are clubs willing to buy him and add in excess of £20 million to the Red Devils’ coffers
“As the press says, there are many offers. We will abide by what Manchester United say,” Torres says via Mundo Deportivo.
“Every day that passes, there are more possibilities. But you have to be cautious. We have fifteen (players) in the squad plus Greenwood, who we hope to give good news about soon.
“I hope will stay another year.”
Torres admitted recently that Barcelona had shown an interest. A move to the Camp Nou no longer appears to be on the cards, however, with those Italian clubs moving into pole position.