Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'considering Mason Greenwood swap for Atletico Madrid star'

By Devesh Jaganath | 29 May 2024

Man Utd 'considering Greenwood swap for Atletico Madrid star'

Manchester United are reportedly offered Joao Felix by Atletico Madrid as part of their bid to sign Mason Greenwood in the summer transfer window.

Manchester United have reportedly been offered Joao Felix by Atletico Madrid as part of their bid to sign Mason Greenwood in the summer transfer window.

Greenwood was sent on a season-long loan to Getafe last summer, and while the La Liga side are keen to make his deal permanent, they are likely to struggle to meet the £40m price tag for the attacker.

While Sir Jim Ratcliffe has not ruled out the possibility of the 22-year-old academy graduate returning to the Red Devils first team, it seems increasingly likely that they will offload him in the summer.

The England international enjoyed a very good season in Spain, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists, which earned him the club's Player of the Season award, along with plenty of admirers across Europe.

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood pictured in July 2021 © Reuters

Greenwood on the radar of European giants

Borussia Dortmund are also believed to be linked with a move for the 22-year-old Man United forward, whose current deal at Old Trafford expires next year.

Additionally, Juventus and Barcelona have signalled their interest in Greenwood, although the transfer fee the Red Devils are asking will pose a problem given both teams' financial constraints.

While another loan for the England international could be a possibility, United will likely prefer a permanent deal for him, which would allow them to use the funds to strengthen the squad during the upcoming transfer window.

Erik ten Hag's side were the joint-lowest scorers in the top half of the Premier League this season and are expected to be busy in the summer in search of support for Rasmus Hojlund at the top end of the pitch.

Barcelona's Joao Felix celebrates scoring against Atletico Madrid on December 3, 2023 © Reuters

Atletico to offer Joao Felix for Greenwood in the summer

According to Spanish news outlet TDF, United's search for a suitable attacker could come from Atletico Madrid, who have an interest in Greenwood and are willing to offer Felix as part of a swap deal to bring the Englishman to the Metropolitano Stadium in the off-season.

During the 2023-24 campaign, Felix was sent on loan to Barcelona, where he scored 10 goals and six assists but lacked the consistency that saw the club splash out nearly £100m to acquire him from Benfica in 2019.

The report adds that Felix's agent, Jorge Mendes, had contacted the Red Devils about the possibility of signing the Portuguese attacker last season before he secured the move to the Nou Camp.

The 24-year-old's contract with Diego Simeone's side does not expire until 2029, but it is understood that the club may be willing to accept around £50m to part ways with him.

While a swap deal could benefit both clubs, it remains to be seen if Felix will make the move to Old Trafford, given he has previously stated that he would prefer joining a club that can offer him Champions League football.

United finished eighth in the Premier League last season, but they did qualify for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup against Manchester City last weekend.