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David Ornstein has confirmed that Marseille have now reached an agreement with Manchester United for Mason Greenwood, with the move now remaining in the hands of Greenwood himself to approve the transfer.
The deal would see the Ligue 1 side pay United a total of €31.6 million (£26.7 million), comprising €27.6 million (£23.3 million) fixed and €4 million (£3.4 million) in add-ons, plus a big percentage of any future sale.
There has been significant backlash regarding Marseille’s potential acquisition of Greenwood. Marseille mayor Benoît Payan, during an interview with RMC, strongly expressed that Greenwood, who has faced accusations of domestic violence and sexual assault, should not be signed despite the charges being dropped.
The mayor went further to assert that he will attempt to cancel the transfer, highlighting his commitment to preventing the player’s arrival, although it might seem too late to halt the process now.
“Greenwood’s behavior is unspeakable, unacceptable. Hitting his wife… I saw images that deeply shocked me. Attacking his wife in this way is unworthy of a man and I believe he cannot have a place in this team.
“The values of Marseille and the values of Olympique de Marseille are anything but that. It’s anything but racism, anti-Semitism. It’s anything but… can you imagine, violence against women? Do you realise that? And he claims to play for Olympique de Marseille, Greenwood? It’s a disgrace.
“I will ask the president of Olympique de Marseille not to recruit Greenwood. I don’t want my club to be covered in the shame of someone who hits his wife. I don’t want my club to be covered in the ashes of someone who hits his wife like that. It’s not acceptable.”
Greenwood, now 22, is set to depart from Manchester United permanently, having scored 35 goals and provided 12 assists in 129 appearances. Despite his potential to be a key figure in the club’s rebuilding efforts, his career will now face significant resistance wherever he goes next, due to the controversy surrounding him.
Marseille’s mayor, Benoît Payan, has publicly stated his opposition to the club signing Greenwood, citing concerns over the shame associated with the player, who was accused of domestic violence and sexual assault, despite the charges being dropped.
