Atletico Madrid in the lead in race for Mason Greenwood, ready to pay £40 million | OneFootball

Manchester United’s 0-1 loss against Arsenal on Sunday was their 14th of the Premier League season, the most losses in a single campaign since the competition’s inception.

Based on current form and the injury crisis, United are not expected to get too many points from their remaining two league games and are in danger of failing to qualify for Europe altogether.

That could impact United’s spending power in the summer and their ability to attract top talent. Keeping PSR concerns in mind, the club will need to focus on selling players first before they can start thinking of recruitment.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning a large-scale clearout and that includes players who are out on loan like Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood.

Greenwood’s future

A lot has been written about the controversial United academy graduate with recent reports citing interest from within the Premier League while Juventus are also named as potential suitors as well teams from the cash-rich Saudi Pro League.

Rumours recently surfaced about the potential of a swap deal involving Barcelona’s Vitor Roque heading the other way. INEOS have made it clear that they would prefer a straight cash sale.

His current outfit Getafe are keen to try and hold on to the forward for another year after seeing the 22-year-old register 10 goals and six assists in 33 games across all competitions.

But should United press for a permanent solution, TeamTalk have now revealed that Atletico Madrid are in the lead with Getafe unlikely to be able to match United’s valuation.

The 20-time English league champions are asking for £40 million, a figure the Madrid-based team can afford to pay. There were earlier reports of United asking for £50 million which had seen both Barca and Diego Simeone’s team exit the race.

“Getafe would love to land Greenwood again for next season, but they would not be able to afford to sign the player on a permanent basis with United holding out for around £40 million for him.

“Reports in Spain have claimed Man Utd want as much as €60m (£52m) for Greenwood and that has put both Atletico and Barcelona off.

Atletico in the lead

“But sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk that the 22-year-old is available for the far more reasonable sum of £40m, which will be music to Atletico’s ears.

“A number of clubs in Italy and Germany have been credited with an interest in Greenwood, including Serie A giants Juventus, while the Saudi Pro League has also been named as a possible destination. However, TEAMtalk can reveal that Atletico are confident of winning the race for his signature.”

INEOS are even open to reintegrating Greenwood into the United first team should they not receive a satisfactory offer. Fans might have something to say about that after their backlash forced the club into a U-turn last year.

The academy graduate was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was suspended by the club two seasons ago. Those charges were subsequently dropped.

But United announced the player would not return to the first team. The England international was eventually sent out on loan on deadline day.

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