The chaos surrounding Marseille has led to questions regarding Mason Greenwood’s future at the Ligue 1 side
Mason Greenwood has enjoyed another stellar season with Marseille(Image: Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Manchester United would be in line for a mammoth payday should Mason Greenwood leave Marseille amid the turmoil plaguing the French giants. The Ligue 1 outfit have been plunged into chaos over the past week after head coach Roberto De Zerbi left the club following their 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
But that was just the start of it. Just days after the ex-Brighton boss ended his two-year reign in France, Marseille’s sporting director Mehdi Benatia resigned from his role. The 38-year-old, who played for Bayern Munich and Juventus during his career, reportedly clashed with ex-United forward Greenwood.
L’Equipe reported that the pair would ignore each other, while Benatia was said to be a openly vocal critic of Greenwood both on and off the pitch. The reports claim that the forward ignoring commercial responsibilities last summer was a source of anger for the ex-defender.
While Greenwood has enjoyed another fruitful season with 23 goals to his name across all competitions, the tension-filled atmosphere at the club could lead him to seek pastures new.
Should Greenwood leave Marseille, it would indirectly benefit the Red Devils thanks to a sell-on clause they added into the deal when they sold him to Marseille in 2024.
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The clause is believed to be in region of 40-50%, entitling United to that percentage of the profits on any future sale, according to The Telegraph. With 45 goals in 69 games since signing for the French side, Greenwood has proven to be one of the most potent strikers in Europe.
His form has led to reported interest from Barcelona over the last year, with Marseille said to have placed a valuation of £60m on their prized asset – two years after forking out £26.7million for him.
Roberto De Zerbi left the club last week(Image: 2025 Jean Catuffe)
Should the sell-on clause end up linked to the profit of the sale rather than total fee, United would walk away with £10.66m (40% of the £33.3m profit made by Marseille, subtracted by 20% for Getafe).
The exits of De Zerbi and Benatia have left Marseille in a state of flux with the latter admitting in a statement that his resignation has come off the back of a “breakdown in communication”.
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The former Morocco captain said in a statement: “Since arriving at the club, I have always acted with heart and a single obsession: to restore Olympique de Marseille to its rightful place. I know this club, I know what it demands and the passion that drives it.
“Today, we are still in the running. The objective of qualifying for the Champions League is clearly within our reach, and we are still in contention to bring the Coupe de France home. Despite recent setbacks and some cruel twists of fate, the project is progressing on the pitch, but I cannot ignore the current climate.
Medhi Benatia quit his role at Marseille just days after De Zerbi’s departure(Image: Photo by Alex MARTIN / AFP via Getty Images)
“I sense a growing dissatisfaction, a breakdown in communication that I deeply regret. In Marseille, results are the only true measure. You know my frankness and transparency.
“Therefore, given the tensions surrounding the management, I have indeed submitted (not offered) my resignation, because in my opinion, the club will always come before individuals, and I do not want my presence to become an obstacle or a burden to the organisation and its development.
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“I leave with the feeling of having done my utmost professionally, but with the regret of not having been able to calm the atmosphere around the team, which, in my opinion, is more than capable of achieving the set objectives.”
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