Manchester United planned recruitment spree cannot go ahead without a summer clearout as the initial budget is reportedly a mere £50 million.
Mason Greenwood is tipped to be the first to depart with multiple Serie A and La Liga clubs chasing his signature after the United academy graduate enjoyed a brilliant spell on loan at Getafe.
The 22-year-old netted 10 goals and was awarded the club’s Player of the Year and currently, Lazio, Napoli, and Juventus are in the lead while Getafe are also keen on retaining him but they do not have the financial means to land the versatile forward on a permanent basis.
United have slapped a £40 million price tag on the Englishman with Lazio’s latest bid falling £10 million short of the asking price. Napoli has offered a player-exchange deal while multiple clubs are eyeing a loan arrangement, something the Red Devils are strictly against.
Greenwood back for pre-season?
As per The Mirror, the 20-time English league champions could be forced to reintegrate the controversial star back into the first-team fold if a permanent solution is not reached within the next 10 days.
Pre-season training is scheduled to start from July 8, and United are contractually obligated to allow him back into training, something fans and club sponsors would not view too kindly.
“Although there is significant interest in Greenwood from Lazio, Juventus, and Napoli, a permanent deal has yet to be concluded, with United due back for pre-season on July 8.
“If Greenwood remains under contract with United, it is understood the forward would be eligible to report back for pre-season training with the rest of the squad.
“Such a scenario may bring further criticism United’s way, given the ongoing sensitivity surrounding Greenwood, but he would be entitled to begin his pre-season training programme.”
United need to sell before July 8
The England international last played for United back in January 2022 after which he was suspended by the club after he was arrested on charges of attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behavior.
Even though those charges were subsequently dropped, United’s plans of reintegrating him back into the team were met with intense criticism and backlash from fans, prompting a U-turn and the player was sent out on loan to Getafe.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has spoken out about Greenwood’s situation, but fan pressure is unlikely to decrease and a sale is likely given that it also represents pure profit as the player is an academy product.
Whether United can agree to a permanent solution before July 8 remains to be seen. The clock is ticking for INEOS.
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