Mason Greenwood Transfer: €70m Saudi Offer Looms

Mason Greenwood transfer negotiations have taken an unexpected twist, with Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al-Ahli reportedly lodging a €70 million bid that could reshape the summer market and hand Manchester United a sizeable windfall.

Mason Greenwood Transfer Could Trigger Huge United Windfall

United inserted a 50 per cent sell-on clause when they sanctioned the permanent switch that took their academy graduate to Olympique de Marseille last summer. The clause looked optimistic at the time, yet Greenwood’s 21-goal Ligue 1 campaign — which earned him the Golden Boot and a place in the Team of the Season — has already doubled his valuation. If Marseille accept Al-Ahli’s offer, the Premier League giants stand to bank €35 million without lifting a finger, funds that could be redirected into Erik ten Hag’s ongoing rebuild.

Why Al-Ahli Want Greenwood Now

The Jeddah club are part of the Public Investment Fund’s quartet of state-backed teams and have shown no hesitation in spending big on attacking talent. Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino arrived last year, and sporting director Matthias Jaissle is eager to add a younger, versatile finisher. At 23, Greenwood ticks every box: he scores with both feet, drifts wide to create and still has resale value if the league’s foreign-player quotas shift again.

Messi Ambitions for 2026

Reports in Spain suggest Al-Ahli have set their sights on pairing Greenwood with Lionel Messi once the Argentine’s Inter Miami contract expires in 2025. Club executives believe landing a global superstar alongside a still-ascending talent would cement their brand ahead of the 2026 Club World Cup, scheduled to be expanded and potentially hosted in the region.

Marseille’s Dilemma: Cash In or Compete?

Marseille president Pablo Longoria has made it clear that the French side will “evaluate every option.” Accepting €70 million would more than quadruple their initial outlay and fund multiple arrivals, yet coach Roberto De Zerbi sees Greenwood as the cornerstone of a title challenge. A Champions League return could, in theory, be worth as much as any transfer fee, especially with new domestic broadcast deals on the horizon.

Interest From Barcelona and Juventus

Both European heavyweights have scouts monitoring the situation. Barcelona admire Greenwood’s ability to operate across the front line, while Juventus see him as a potential replacement for Federico Chiesa, whose contract conversations have stalled. However, neither club can currently match Al-Ahli’s financial muscle, and Marseille are unlikely to entertain structured deals filled with add-ons when hard cash is on the table.

Manchester United’s Perspective

For United, the Mason Greenwood transfer saga offers a timely injection of funds without the public relations headaches that surrounded his eventual exit. With Financial Fair Play rules tightening in the Premier League, €35 million landing in the coffers could be pivotal. Ten Hag wants a new centre-back, an athletic midfielder and competition for Rasmus Højlund. Greenwood’s sell-on clause may inadvertently bankroll two of those three needs.

How the Sell-On Clause Works

The wording is straightforward: Marseille must forward 50 per cent of any profit to United. Because the French club paid a fee believed to be €20 million, a €70 million sale would mean €25 million profit plus the original fee, obliging Marseille to send United exactly half of the gross amount. The Red Devils’ hierarchy view the clause as a win-win — they protected asset value while allowing the player a fresh start.

Performance Data Underlines Greenwood’s Appeal

• 21 goals and six assists in 32 Ligue 1 matches
• 1.2 goals-plus-assists per 90 minutes — best in France
• 58 per cent conversion rate on shots inside the box
• Successful with 63 dribbles, ranking fifth among all forwards

Those metrics demonstrate why the Mason Greenwood transfer is viewed as elite value, even at €70 million. Al-Ahli see room for further growth in a league that’s defensively less rigorous than France’s top tier.

The Saudi Pro League’s 2030 Vision

The spending spree aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider sports-washing accusations, but league officials argue the investments are part of “Vision 2030,” aimed at diversifying the economy and fostering a culture of elite sport. Greenwood’s age profile fits the mandate to lower the average age of foreign imports, ensuring the division remains competitive rather than merely a retirement destination.

Potential Roadblocks

1. Player preference: Greenwood may prioritise Champions League football over immediate financial gain.
2. Contractual demands: Wages in excess of €15 million per year could disrupt Al-Ahli’s existing pay structure.
3. Political climate: Ongoing debates around human rights in Saudi Arabia could influence his decision.
4. Marseille supporters: Fan groups are campaigning to keep their star, emphasising sporting ambition over profit.

Tactical Fit Beside Messi

Should Messi arrive in 2026, Greenwood would likely start on the right, cutting inside onto his left foot, replicating the role he enjoyed at Old Trafford. Messi could then occupy a free-floating No. 10 position behind a traditional striker, giving Al-Ahli a front trio capable of rivalling any in Europe for star power.

Timeline of the Mason Greenwood Transfer Story

• July 2023: Loan to Marseille agreed after United’s internal investigation
• June 2024: Permanent transfer completed with sell-on clause
• May 2025: Wins Ligue 1 Golden Boot
• June 2025: Barcelona and Juventus scout Ligue 1 matches
• July 2025: Al-Ahli lodge official €70 million bid
• August 2025: Marseille board set deadline for a decision

Financial Domino Effect Across Europe

A sale could ignite a chain reaction. If Marseille cash in, they might move for Montpellier prodigy Elye Wahi, forcing the Ligue 1 club to raid Belgium or the Netherlands for a replacement. United’s influx could accelerate their interest in Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, which in turn would hand the Toffees funds to finally rebuild Goodison Park’s creaking midfield. In a market short on liquidity, a single blockbuster deal provides essential lubrication.

What Happens Next?

Negotiations are expected to intensify after Marseille return from their pre-season tour of Japan. Club insiders insist any decision will be made “before the first competitive fixture,” sparing De Zerbi the uncertainty that destabilised previous campaigns. Al-Ahli’s delegation is already in Europe and prepared to improve the offer with performance-related bonuses if necessary.

Opinion

The Mason Greenwood transfer saga encapsulates modern football’s push-and-pull between sporting integrity and financial pragmatism. While Marseille’s heart says keep the goals, their balance sheet whispers otherwise. For United, the moral complexities are long gone; only the money matters now. If Greenwood does depart for Jeddah, it will serve as yet another reminder that the Saudi Pro League’s purchasing power is no longer a sideshow — it is a market-shaping force European clubs ignore at their peril.