8 months ago
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Mason Greenwood’s dream transfer from Manchester United to Barcelona is on the rocks after the Catalan giants cooled their interest.
The 22-year-old is currently on loan at Getafe where he has relaunched his career after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault because of the ‘withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light’.
Greenwood hasn’t played a single minute of competitive football for his parent club in over two years but his future at Old Trafford remains a matter of conjecture.
New minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe opened the door for Greenwood’s potential return last month, but a permanent departure remains the most likely scenario.
After making an eye-catching start to his loan spell Barcelona had registered an interest in the England international, who has goals and five assists to his name so far this season.
According to The Times, however, Barcelona are reluctant to sign Greenwood on account of the likely €50 million cost, while they also fear a potential backlash from supporters, given the seriousness of the charges that were brought against the United forward in January 2022.
United transfer chief John Murtough was spotted in Catalunia on Monday and while he is understood to have dined with his Barcelona counterpart Deco, the pair are said to have discussed general football matters rather than negotiate potential transfers.
While in Spain, Murthough is also understood to have held similar discussions with high-ranking officials from both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, who have also registered an interest in Greenwood over the course of the last few months.
Greenwood has just over 12 months remaining on his United contract and although the club retain an option to extend that deal by a further year a permanent move to Spain is likely to suit all parties best.
Indeed, speaking at the Financial Times business of football summit last month, La Liga president Javier Tebas revealed he hoped the player would eventually seal a move to a Spanish club.
‘I’m a lawyer’ he said. ‘For someone that has come out of a legal case innocent, there’s nothing to say.
‘I think it’s good because he’s another great player. Maybe the circumstances have made it easier for him to come, but he’s a great player and I have got no other comments to make.
‘He’s doing really well at Getafe and I hope he continues to be successful and continues to stay in Spanish football, because that’s always good for us.
‘When someone isn’t condemned, what should we have done? This is what courts exist for. It is not up to me to know his case in detail. He is just another player.’
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