Manchester United have reportedly opened talks with a new club interested in taking Mason Greenwood off of their hands in the summer transfer window.
After seeing all criminal charges against him dropped last year, Man United were reportedly planning to welcome the attacker back into the Old Trafford setup following an internal review.
However, once news of their plans were leaked to the public and met with huge backlash, the Red Devils performed a U-turn and informed Greenwood that he would be continuing his career away from the club.
Man United did not go as far as terminating Greenwood's contract, though, instead loaning him out to La Liga side Getafe, where he impressed with 10 goals and six assists from 36 matches, but the Spanish club cannot afford to sign him permanently.
Despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe briefly hinting that Greenwood could reignite his Man United career, an exit is seemingly only a matter of time away, and a transfer to Italy has been strongly mooted in recent days.
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Lazio 'discussing' Greenwood deal after Juventus decision
It was recently claimed that the one-cap England international had agreed personal terms with Serie A giants Juventus on a £100,000-a-week contract, but those links have now gone cold, apparently due to the Bianconeri's pursuit of his teammate Jadon Sancho.
Instead, The Sun claims that Juve's Serie A rivals Lazio are now negotiating a move for Greenwood, whom they have already tried and failed to sign once since his return to football.
Biancocelesti president Claudio Lotito was allegedly left vexed by Lazio's failure to capture the 22-year-old last year, pointing the finger at Man United for not completing the necessary paperwork before the Italian transfer window closed.
However, Lazio are supposedly now hopeful of concluding a deal to sign Greenwood for around £34m including add-ons, even though Man United have slapped a £40m price tag on the Englishman.
The Italian powerhouses may still have to fend off interest from Valencia to prise the attacker away from Old Trafford, though, and he is thought to be keen on staying in Spain.
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Greenwood has likely played last game for Man United
Prior to his initial arrest in January 2022, Greenwood had struck 35 goals and set up 12 more in 129 matches for Man United, having risen through the youth ranks since joining in 2007.
The 22-year-old was first taken into custody on suspicion of rape and assault following accusations from a woman posted online, which led to his immediate suspension from Man United, while Nike also ended their sponsorship deal and he was removed from EA's FIFA 22 game.
The forward was then further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill, before being charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour.
However, due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material coming to light, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against Greenwood, who was due to go on trial in November 2023.
Ben Knapton
