Mason Greenwood is a step closer to leaving Manchester United (Getty)
Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has reached an agreement to join Marseille, according to reports.
Last week, the Ligue 1 side saw their offer of €31.6 million (£26.7m) accepted by United and have since been negotiating directly with Greenwood over his contract.
Marseille’s bid includes a fixed fee worth €27.6m (£23.3m) plus a further €4m (£3.4m) in add-ons. The offer also includes a future sale clause, which entitles United to a share if Marseille sell Greenwood.
According to The Athletic, Greenwood has now verbally agreed to join Marseille and is due to travel to France to undergo a medical and sign his contract.
Greenwood was back at United’s training ground last Monday but was informed by the club’s hierarchy that he had no future at Old Trafford.
Mason Greenwood impressed during his loan spell at Getafe last season (Getty)
The 22-year-old spent last season season on loan at Getafe after United decided that he would not return to Erik ten Hag’s first-team squad.
Greenwood has not played for United since he was arrested in January 2022 for attempted rape, controlling behaviour and assault.
All charges against Greenwood were dropped in February 2023 and United had considered reintegrating him back into Ten Hag’s squad before the Premier League club received major backlash over his potential return.
Marseille have also received criticism over their move for Greenwood, with the mayor of the city, Benoit Payan, openly opposing the club’s bid.
‘Greenwood’s behaviour is unspeakable, unacceptable. Hitting his wife… I saw images that deeply shocked me. Abusing his wife in this way is unbecoming of a man and he cannot have his place on this team,’ Payan told French broadcaster RMC Sport.
‘The values of OM and Marseille are anything but that in fact. It’s a shame. I will ask Pablo Longoria not to recruit Greenwood. I don’t want my club to be covered with the shame of someone who hits his wife.
‘Olympique de Marseille is more than a club. It is a spirit, and there is no place for those who behave in this way, for those who commit this kind of crime and offence.
‘It is unbearable. I cannot imagine for a second that Pablo Longoria would make this major mistake.’
Roberto De Zerbi called Mason Greenwood a ‘champion’ in his debut press conference as Marseille’s head coach (OM/Twitch)
However, Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who left Brighton at the end of last season, insisted last week that he would defend Greenwood if the French club signed him.
‘He is a champion, an international-level player,’ said De Zerbi.
‘I don’t know his past, I don’t know exactly what happened. I don’t like to interfere in the private lives of players.
‘The only thing I can say is that when a player signs for the club where I work, I consider him as my child.
‘I protect him through thick and thin, even if I can pull his ear in private, I will defend him publicly. My players are like my sons.’
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