Mason Greenwood, the star forward of Marseille and former Manchester United player, has been making headlines recently. Despite being linked with a potential return to the Premier League, Greenwood has expressed his intention to stay put at Marseille for their upcoming Champions League campaign next season.
Greenwood was signed by Marseille from Manchester United for approximately £26 million last summer after a one-year loan stint with La Liga outfit Getafe. His transfer followed allegations of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour that led him to be sidelined from the United squad. However, these charges were dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023.
The 23-year-old striker has since been rebuilding his career in France's Ligue 1 where he netted an impressive 19 goals in his first season. His goal-scoring prowess played a significant role in helping Marseille secure a spot in next season's Champions League as they are on track to finish second behind rivals PSG.
Speculations around Premier League return
Despite Greenwood’s success at Marseille, recent speculations suggested that he was "yearning" for a return to the Premier League. Two unnamed clubs were reportedly considering making moves for the England international.
However, during a rare press conference appearance, Greenwood himself quashed these rumours stating that he feels "at home" at Marseille and is looking forward to competing alongside his teammates in Europe’s top-tier competition next season.
Mason Greenwood, Marseille striker, said:
"I hope to be here next year for the Champions League. All the other players tell me that the stadium is something special. I think it's been a very positive season, we've reached our objective."
"I feel at home here. I recently had a baby here with my girlfriend. Not a lot of people get to experience that kind of thing here and with all my teammates and coaches I would like to thank them all."
Transfer possibilities & criticisms
While it seems like Mason is content with staying put at least for now, The Telegraph reported that insiders at Marseille are open to potentially transferring him within the next two seasons.
Despite boasting an impressive goal-scoring record this past season, not all feedback about Greenwood has been positive. He faced criticism from fans and manager Roberto De Zerbi for his work rate. Rumours even circulated that teammate Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg requested Greenwood's removal from the squad, and De Zerbi has previously voiced his expectations of the player.
While Mason Greenwood's future at Marseille seems secure for now, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape his career trajectory in the coming seasons. Whether he stays at Marseille or makes a return to Premier League, one thing is certain - sports fans and sports betting fans alike will be watching closely.
