Marseille mayor to try and block 'unbearable' Mason Greenwood transfer as he labels interest in Man Utd outcast 'a disgrace'

Marseille are in pole position to sign Greenwood and are in talks with Manchester United over a potential £27m ($30m) deal. The English forward saw charges of alleged attempted rape, assault, and coercive and controlling behaviour dropped in February 2023, but the Red Devils decided against reintegrating him into their first-team after their own six-month investigation into his conduct away from the pitch. Greenwood was allowed to continue his career on loan at Getafe last season, but the association has remained, with Marseille's fans already protesting the potential signing.

Greenwood's move faces another stumbling block after Marseille's mayor revealed his feelings on the deal, insisting that he simply cannot allow the one-time England international to join the Ligue 1 club. As a result, he is exploring avenues through which he could block the transfer.

Mayor Benoit Payan said, per The Telegraph: “I saw images that deeply shocked me. I believe he cannot have a place in this team.

“The values of Marseille and the values of Olympique de Marseille are anything but that. It’s anything but racism, anti-Semitism. It’s anything but … can you imagine, violence against women? Do you realise that? And he claims to play for Olympique de Marseille, Greenwood? It’s a disgrace.

“I will ask the president of Olympique de Marseille not to recruit Greenwood. I don’t want my club to be covered in the shame. It’s not acceptable.”

Payan pledged to speak with Marseille president Pablo Longoria, adding: “He knows, in any case, what my convictions and my opinions are. And I’ve already told him that our history and our club is made up of people who come from different backgrounds.

“It is unbearable. I cannot imagine for a second that Pablo Longoria would make this major mistake.”

Marseille clearly have a decision to make. If they opt against closing a deal for Greenwood, the United outcast's future will have to be re-evaluated. The 22-year-old is still under contract at Old Trafford until 2025, but has also been strongly linked with Italian outfit Lazio.