Mason Greenwood Transfer Could Net Man Utd €35m Windfall

Mason Greenwood transfer talks have ignited again after Marseille received a reported €70 million bid from ambitious Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli, potentially unlocking a sizeable payday for Manchester United thanks to a 50 per cent sell-on clause.

Mason Greenwood transfer: Why Marseille are listening

Marseille knew the forward’s market value could skyrocket when they paid £27 million to sign him last summer, and a Golden Boot-winning haul of 21 Ligue 1 goals in 2024-25 proved them right. Although Greenwood is contracted until 2029, cash-hungry Ligue 1 clubs rarely turn down monster offers. Selling now could finance multiple reinforcements while doubling their initial investment in just twelve months.

Manchester United’s sell-on clause could pay off

United inserted a 50 per cent sell-on clause when reluctantly approving the Mason Greenwood transfer to France. If Marseille accept €70 million, the Red Devils would bank roughly €35 million, a welcome sum for a club navigating Financial Fair Play limits and needing funds for a new centre-back and a holding midfielder. The clause is a shrewd piece of business that softens the blow of losing an academy product who once looked destined for Old Trafford stardom.

Saudi Pro League bid explained

The Saudi top flight has already lured global names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema. Landing a 23-year-old Premier League-bred attacker entering his prime would demonstrate the league’s shift from retirement haven to talent-buying heavyweight.

Al-Ahli’s sporting vision

Backed by the Public Investment Fund, Al-Ahli have set their sights on a front line capable of winning the AFC Champions League and, eventually, the expanded Club World Cup. Greenwood’s ability to operate across the front three, combined with a lethal left foot and Premier League pedigree, fits their profile of marquee yet still-developing stars.

How Lionel Messi fits into the puzzle

Sources in Spain and the Gulf claim Al-Ahli hope to tempt Lionel Messi when his Inter Miami contract expires in 2026. The prospect of pairing the Argentine icon with Greenwood would ensure global viewing figures and unprecedented shirt-sales revenue. From the player’s perspective, sharing a dressing room with Messi could soften the cultural leap from the Mediterranean to the Middle East.

Financial implications for all parties

• Marseille: Profit of around €43 million after add-ons, enough to overhaul multiple positions.
• Manchester United: Immediate €35 million windfall without negotiating a sale themselves.
• Al-Ahli: Major outlay, yet still cheaper than European options of comparable age and output.
• Greenwood: A contract rumoured to be worth £12 million per year, plus the chance to become the face of a rapidly growing league.

What happens next in the Mason Greenwood transfer saga?

Marseille are reportedly canvassing interest from Barcelona, Juventus and unnamed Premier League clubs to spark an auction. While Greenwood is said to be open to staying another season at the Vélodrome, sources close to the player admit the financial pull of the Gulf cannot be ignored. A decision is expected before Marseille return for pre-season in early July. Should negotiations drag, United may push privately for acceptance, given their own summer business hinges on fresh funds.

Opinion: A brave but risky leap

For Greenwood, a move to Saudi Arabia at 24 would guarantee life-changing money and a starring role, yet it also carries sporting risk. Out of Europe’s spotlight, future moves to elite Champions League clubs could prove harder. The forward must weigh immediate rewards against long-term legacy.