Man United Sale of Greenwood Expected This Week; Ratcliffe Calls Opening Bid Low

After Sir Jim Ratcliffe had no doubt in waving it away, Manchester United will begin transfer negotiations with Lazio for Mason Greenwood in the next few days; but, the Italians will have to greatly enhance their original offer.

Now in the last 12 months of his contract at Manchester United, the 22-year-old forward will be sold off by the team this summer following a permanent parting of ways judged to be in the best interests of all concerned. After a very trying personal period, Greenwood has effectively rebuilt his career and placed himself back in the shop display using his time in Spain with Getafe.

The CPS withdrew all of the charges against Greenwood—which included one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behavior, and one count of assault resulting in actual bodily harm—after a crucial witness withdrew. Nevertheless, the Red Devils still chose to send Greenwood out on loan for the season.

It seemed improbable then that Greenwood would ever be seen wearing a United shirt again. Nevertheless, The former England player spent little time making up for lost time, scoring ten goals and dishing out six assists in 36 games for Getafe, who went above and beyond to integrate him into their team and the Spanish culture.

Greenwood will always be appreciative to the capital club for that, but since they can't sign him long-term, a move this summer always seemed likely.

The competition for his signature has now narrowed to four teams, with Marseille, Valencia, and Fenerbahce among the candidates to sign him. He was previously linked to Juventus, Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona.

 

But Lazio has emerged victorious recently, leapfrogging the opposition and taking the lead in the race for his signing.

 

Additionally, sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk that United and the Italian team had been in talks over the last weekend regarding a potential move, with Ratcliffe stating that they were open to selling him.

 

However, United quickly thwarted Lazio's meager original proposal—which was substantially subsidized by offering the Red Devils a 50% part of any future transfer fee—and frustrated the Italian team and their president, Claudio Lotito. Reports from Italy indicate that Lazio's opening bid was worth €20 million (£17 million).