Marseille Enter the Race for Mason Greenwood
Ligue 1 side Marseille have reportedly joined the list of clubs interested in signing Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood. The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Spanish club Getafe, but with United keen to secure a permanent transfer, Getafe are unlikely to meet the asking price for a full deal. While the Spanish side would consider another loan move, Manchester United’s priority is to offload Greenwood permanently this summer. Greenwood has been linked with several clubs across Europe, with Italy appearing to be a likely destination. Juventus, Lazio, and Napoli have all been touted as potential suitors for the English forward. However, recent reports from The Athletic indicate that Marseille have now emerged as strong contenders for Greenwood’s signature.
The French club has reportedly held discussions with Manchester United, and Greenwood is said to be favouring a move to Marseille over other possible options. This marks a shift in his preferences, as earlier reports suggested that a return to Spain was his favoured outcome. Should the move to Marseille materialise, Greenwood could find himself working under former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is expected to take charge of the French side. De Zerbi, known for his attacking philosophy, could be an ideal fit for Greenwood as the forward looks to revitalise his career after a season away from Manchester.
United Eye Matthijs de Ligt as Defensive Reinforcement
In a move that will excite Manchester United fans, the club is reportedly eyeing a potential transfer for Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt. The 24-year-old Bayern Munich centre-back has emerged as a target for United’s new owners, INEOS, as they look to bolster the squad after an injury-riddled season. According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, De Ligt is one of several options United are considering to strengthen their backline, joining the likes of Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Lille’s Leny Yoro. Last season’s injury woes forced United to field midfielder Casemiro in defence at times, underlining the need for reinforcements at the back.
The interest in De Ligt seems to have the fingerprints of Erik ten Hag, United’s current manager, who previously worked with the defender during their time together at Ajax. De Ligt was a key figure in the Ajax team that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, captaining the side at just 19 years old. Following his impressive spell in Amsterdam, he secured a move to Juventus before transferring to Bayern Munich in 2022.
Despite his pedigree, Bayern are reportedly open to selling De Ligt after just two seasons, raising questions over his long-term fit at the Bundesliga giants. Nevertheless, United are keen to bring the Dutch international to Old Trafford, with a valuation of around €50 million (£42m) being discussed. While Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are expected to take charge of United’s transfer dealings moving forward, Ten Hag’s influence appears to remain significant in the pursuit of De Ligt. Should the move materialise, De Ligt would join former Ajax teammates Lisandro Martinez, Antony, and Andre Onana in reuniting with their former boss in Manchester.