Mason Greenwood: Barcelona plot transfer that will frustrate Man United | OneFootball

Barcelona are plotting a shock move for former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood — a deal that will frustrate INEOS for two different reasons, according to a bombshell report from Spain.

50% Sell-On Clause

Greenwood, 24, has established himself as one of the best players in Ligue 1 since joining Marseille in the summer of 2024 after facing legal issues in the United Kingdom.

The forward was arrested and charged with a series of serious offences, though the case was ultimately dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. It made his future in English football untenable, however, and an exit from Old Trafford was agreed to be the best course of action.

Marseille reached a £26.7 million agreement with United, which included a sell-on clause entitling the Red Devils to 50% of the profits of any future deal.

Across 56 appearances for Marseille, Greenwood has returned 37 goals and 10 assists. He already has 11 in Ligue 1 this season, making him the division’s top score; an accolade he shared with Ousmane Dembele last season.

Mason Greenwood: 2025/26 statistics

French newspaper L’Equipe‘s ‘Team of the Year‘ for 2025 comprised ten players from Paris Saint-Germain’s treble-winning side and Greenwood, the sole representative outside the Parc de Princes.

Marseille manager Roberto de Zerbi, formerly of Brighton & Hove Albion and previously a target for the hotseat at Old Trafford, even claimed his forward has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or. “I don’t see any other players in Europe at the same level,” the Italian concluded. 

This form – and the potential for more – has put Greenwood, capable of playing across the frontline, on the radar of a number of Europe’s top clubs, with Barcelona the latest side to express interest.

But the Blaugrana are plotting a move which has the potential to deprive United of the pay day their astute sell-on clause had promised to deliver ahead of a crucial transfer window for INEOS this summer.

A Major Target at Camp Nou

Spanish outlet Fichajes reveals Barcelona have identified Greenwood as one of its “major attacking targets” with the ability to become a “new focal point” of Hansi Flick’s forward line.

Robert Lewandowski turned 37 in August and despite scoring nine goals in 14 league appearances, the Poland international’s contract expires at the end of the season and is unlikely to be renewed.

Consequently, a new centre-forward, or a versatile forward capable of playing through the middle such as Greenwood, is a natural priority for the Liga champions.

But finances are stretched at Camp Nou, to such an extent they are unlikely to make Marcus Rashford’s stay in Catalonia a permanent one. And Marseille will demand a huge offer to part with their prized attacker, particularly given 50% of the profits will be redirected to Manchester.

Fichajes states Barcelona will attempt to circumvent this issue by offering Ferran Torres in a part-exchange deal, however.

“The key to the deal lies with Ferran Torres. FC Barcelona would be willing to include the Spanish international as part of a swap deal to facilitate the signing of Mason Greenwood, thus avoiding a large cash outlay,” the reports details.

If this “large cash outlay” was avoided, it would, in theory, limit the share of the profits United would be entitled to from Greenwood’s sale. But legislation exists to prevent clubs using this loophole to avoid paying their fair share in regards to sell-on clauses.

“Even if no money changes hands between clubs as part of a swap deal, the valuations of the players is still important for all sorts of reasons and not just the clubs’ own book-keeping. There are often sell-on clauses to calculate, levies which are payable to the league on domestic deals, solidarity payments to be made on international transfers and training compensation to consider, too. World football governing body FIFA monitors the “transfer agreements” closely in that respect,” The Athletic explains.

This would most likely require a tribunal, however, with the authorities stepping in to determine what a fair value is for both Greenwood and Torres, to then calculate the extent of what United would be owed from any deal involving the two.

It would not be a quick or simple process, potentially delaying – or even reducing – the money United are entitled to. It would be subject to an interpretation, as much as the reality, of what Marseille may be willing to command for one of the best, but most divisive, forward’s in Europe, which could be influenced by his controversial past.

When compared to the €100m offer Saudi Pro League side NEOM SC were reported to have offered Marseille last month – which would see United net United around £30m in upfront profit – it is night and day for INEOS.

The fact that it is Barcelona, a club famed for overstepping the mark financially, pursuing this complicated deal will only further anger United’s ownership, given the Spanish club are set to send Rashford – Amorim’s most explosive ‘bomb squad’ member – back to Old Trafford.

The Blaugrana claim to not have the funds to make the English forward’s loan permanent at the end of the season, yet are now actively chasing a different English forward to lead their attack – with United losing out in both moves.

The return of Rashford and the uncertainty over the profits from Greenwood’s transfer constitutes a frustrating double whammy for INEOS to contend with ahead of a pivotal summer for the Red Devils.

Featured image Juan Manuel Serrano Arce via Getty Images

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