There is no doubting, in Simon Jordan’s mind, that the Manchester United man is worth his reported £40 million price tag.
But whether Manchester United will get £40 million is a very different question entirely.
In terms of pure footballing talent, Mason Greenwood is undoubtedly a forward befitting such a fee. But, as we all know, it is not simply ‘pure footballing talent’ that must be taken into consideration when clubs are weighing up an offer.
If it wasn’t for all the controversy hanging like a dark cloud over his head, Europe’s big-hitters would be tripping over each other trying to get a deal done for £40 million. As it is, having not played for the Red Devils since he was suspended by the club in January 2022, Man United may have little choice but to consider lower offers for a player who’s departure could be the key to unlocking deals for the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Jarrad Branthwaite and/or Manuel Ugarte.
Manchester United hope to sell Mason Greenwood
According to Gianluca di Marzio, Lazio have had an opening bid of £20 million rejected by Man United. talkSPORT say that United are looking for twice that fee. Lazio may find themselves priced out, then, unless the Red Devils are willing to consider a cash-plus-player deal involving highly-rated Biancocelesti goalkeeper Christos Matsos.
Il Messaggero report that Lazio president Claudio Lotito brought Matsos up in discussions with United last week.
Rumoured interest from Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona has gone quiet. So too Juventus, despite di Marzio’s claims that Greenwood had given his preference to the Serie A giants and that personal terms would hardly be an obstacle.
Simon Jordan, meanwhile, is confident Man United will still succeed in selling Mason Greenwood for a ‘decent’ fee. Whether it is the fee they want, however, only time will tell.
“As the player that we saw before all of his conduct superseded his football ability, he’s worth £40 million,” Jordan, the former Crystal Palace chairman, tells talkSPORT (26 June, 12.50pm).
“He is a brilliant player who had such great opportunities. Unfortunately, because of his behaviour, he’s put himself in a situation where he’s a little bit of a problem. But he will go on and play in other leagues.
“And United will get a decent fee for him because he is worth it.”
Jordan feels that Greenwood, having rebuild his reputation to some extent during a fine loan spell at Getafe, would benefit from a move to another of Europe’s major leagues.
A club of Juventus’ size and ambition, in particular, feels like a golden opportunity for a forward who’s top-level career appeared in danger of ending very prematurely not so long ago.
Juventus and Lazio remain in the race for ex-England man
Lazio legend Bruno Giordano, meanwhile, is urging his former club to seize the chance presented to them.
Greenwood, he feels, may be a chance Lazio cannot afford to let slip through their fingers. Particularly after a very disappointing seventh place finish last term which cost ex-Chelsea and Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri his job at the Stadio Olimpico.
“Very important player,” Bruno Giordano tells Radio Sei of Greenwood. “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.
“You hardly end up playing for teams like Manchester United by chance.”