Marseille’s new stance on Mason Greenwood transfer after mayor criticised Man United move

Marseille’s new stance on a transfer for Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood has been explained after the City’s mayor criticised the move.

Greenwood, 22, has been on the transfer list since he returned from Getafe at the end of last season.

It seemed like the situation had finally been solved when United agreed to a £26 million deal with Marseille for the transfer of the forward earlier this week.

However, subsequent comments from the City’s mayor, Benoît Payan, and fan backlash online have appeared to have affected the deal.

Payan has urged the French team not to sign the United player, who had previously been charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

“Greenwood’s behaviour is unspeakable, unacceptable,” Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan told French radio station RMC on Tuesday. “Hitting his wife … I saw images that deeply shocked me. Massacring his wife in this way is unbecoming of a man, and he cannot have his place on this team.

“The values ​​of OM and Marseille are anything but that in fact. It’s a shame. I will ask [Marseille president] Pablo Longoria not to recruit Greenwood. I don’t want my club to be covered with the shame of someone who hits his wife.”

Despite Greenwood being cleared of the charges at a later date, the court of public opinion is strong. While on loan at Getafe, he received abuse in stadiums in Spain, and United changed their decision to bring him back to Old Trafford after fan backlash.

According to a report from Gianluca Di Marzio, the operation between Greenwood and Marseille has slowed down due to the mayor’s comments.

It has been explained that the situation has “intimidated” Greenwood but that the French club are still trying to convince him of the move.

There have been calls and a meeting with Greenwood’s father, with the French club’s stance being clear. They still want to sign the 22-year-old regardless of Payan’s comments.

The aforementioned report also explained that Lazio are attempting to hijack the deal due to the situation in Marseille.

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