Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'set Mason Greenwood asking price amid Barcelona interest'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 19 February 2024

Man United 'set Mason Greenwood asking price amid Barcelona interest'

Manchester United reportedly slap a £34m price tag on the head of Mason Greenwood amid supposed interest from Barcelona in a summer deal.

Manchester United reportedly hope to receive around £34m through the possible summer sale of ostracised attacker Mason Greenwood.

The one-cap England international has not featured for the Red Devils since January 2022, the same month he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault following allegations posted online.

Greenwood was further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill while in custody, and he was suspended by Manchester United while on bail as investigations continued.

The 22-year-old was due to face trial for charges of attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour last November, but the Crown Prosecution Service subsequently revealed that all charges had been dropped.

The withdrawal of key witnesses and new material coming to light meant that Greenwood would not face a criminal trial, leaving the striker free to resume his playing career, and there were rumours that Man United were prepared to welcome him back to the club following an internal investigation.

Mason Greenwood arrives in court in November 2022 © Reuters

However, due to colossal backlash, the Red Devils reversed their decision, but rather than terminate their academy product's contract, they struck an agreement with Spanish side Getafe on a season-long loan deal.

Greenwood continued to train individually while waiting for his short-term future to be resolved and has enjoyed a productive spell with Getafe so far, registering seven goals and five assists in 24 matches in all competitions.

The Englishman's future beyond the end of the season remains clouded in uncertainty, though, as Getafe do not possess the option to make his stay permanent, and his Man United contract expires in 2025.

With there seemingly being no way back for Greenwood at Old Trafford, a sale is thought to be the likeliest course of action this summer, and both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are alleged to be considering approaches.

According to German outlet Fussball News - via The Sun - Man United have set Greenwood's asking price at £34m, although they may be pressured to accept a lower amount given that the forward could walk away for nothing in 2025.

Manchester United's Mason Greenwood during the warm up before the match, December 8, 2021 © Reuters

Greenwood is understood to have settled in Spain with his family and would welcome the chance to remain in La Liga, as his career with Manchester United is now dead in the water.

Whether the Red Devils can obtain a fee for the 22-year-old remains to be seen, but the 20-time English champions will be under pressure to donate any monies raised from the sale of Greenwood to charity.

Natalie Curtis - a Survivor Ambassador for Women's Aid - told The Telegraph last summer: "It seems wrong that anyone should profit from the Mason Greenwood situation that has been horrific for survivors. If anything, if there is a transfer fee, it should be donated to a domestic abuse charity such as Women's Aid."

Greenwood made 129 appearances for Manchester United's first team before his initial arrest, contributing 35 goals and 12 assists after coming through their academy ranks.

The attacker made his senior England debut against Iceland in the Nations League in September 2020, but he and Manchester City's Phil Foden were then sent home by Gareth Southgate for breaching COVID-19 regulations.