Director says Manchester United rejected £22m bid as he got ‘lucky’ escape

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With Manchester United desperate to sell, things progressed about as well as they realistically could have.

Amid interest from Spain, Italy and France, the Red Devils found themselves fielding something of a bidding war.

And considering Corriere dello Sport, homegrown status – meaning every single penny of his sale could be classed as ‘pure profit’ from a Financial Fair Play perspective – his eventual £26 million sale to Marseille helped to free up considerable funds.

Funds Manchester United would later put towards bringing Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro to Old Trafford.

Marseille – their head coach Roberto de Zerbi keen to take Greenwood under his wing – rubber-stamped a five-year contract in mid-July despite the best efforts of a Lazio side who missed out in 2023 and saw history repeat itself 12 months later.

Greenwood, Corriere dello Sport explain, had become something of an ‘obsession’ for Lazio president Claudio Lotito.

And, after learning that the Bradford-born attacker had chosen Marseille instead, Lotito gave the impression of a particularly irked toddler picking up his toys and launching them out the side of his pram.

• READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

Marseille sign Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood

Lazio, the president said, would sign a player ‘ten times better’ than Greenwood. The Biancocelesti are yet to do just that, though they have made a move for Barcelona’s Vitor Roque in recent days.

Lazio director Angelo Fabiani, meanwhile, could not resist the temptation to aim a dig of his own into Greenwood’s ribs.

After failing with a £22 million bid, Fabiani feels that the Rome-based outfit got a ‘lucky’ escape missing out on a player who seemingly had reservations about the Lazio project.

“We wanted Greenwood last year. Then, there was a hitch with the player. You all know what Greenwood’s problem was,” Fabiani tells the club’s official website, via Tuttomercatoweb.

“An agent this year approached us with the idea of ​​Greenwood in Italy. We gave him a deadline. From there, an auction was unleashed and I thought I could go up to a certain limit.

“We offered £22 million. We’re talking about 26 million euros. He preferred to take another path.”

Lazio miss out again

Lazio, at least, are not short of talented wide attackers.

Mattia Zaccagni scored that wonderful equaliser to send Italy into the knockout stages of Euro 2024 against Croatia. Tijjani Noslin – the Dutchman who was reportedly on Man United’s radar – also reunites with his former Hellas Verona coach Marco Baroni at the Stadio Olimpico.

“I say that the best deals are those that aren’t made. I want (Nicolo) Rovella, Zaccagni, players who love the environment where they work,” Fabiani adds.

“I don’t want these mercenaries. It’s lucky not to make certain deals. If he’s taken another path, we wish Greenwood the best of luck.”

Marseille, meanwhile, have handed Greenwood the number ten shirt at the Stade Velodrome.

After a fine loan spell at Getafe, where he was named the La Liga club’s Player of the Year, the Carrington graduate scored his first (unofficial) L’OM goal in a 3-0 friendly win over second-tier Pau last month.