Atletico Madrid's move for Greenwood could hand Man United a £20m windfall

Manchester United could receive a significant financial boost this summer after Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone reportedly requested the signing of former United forward Mason Greenwood from Marseille, according to French publication L’Equipe. Juventus, Roma, and Fenerbahce are also said to be monitoring the 23-year-old, who has scored 48 goals in 81 appearances since joining the Ligue 1 club in the summer of 2024.

United retained a sell-on clause when they sold Greenwood to Marseille, widely reported to be between 40 and 50 per cent of any future transfer fee. With Italian publication Tuttosport reporting that Marseille have placed a £42 million valuation on the player, that clause could translate into a windfall of up to £21 million for United — money that would feed directly into Ruben Amorim’s summer recruitment plans.

Atletico’s interest is driven by the need to reinforce their attack following the departures of Antoine Griezmann and Nico Gonzalez, as well as the likely exit of Julian Alvarez. Simeone’s reported personal request underlines how highly Greenwood is regarded at the top of European football.

A straight cash deal may prove difficult for Juventus, however. Tuttosport suggests the strong relationship between Juve and Marseille could open the door to a creative arrangement involving player swaps, with Jonathan David or Edon Zhegrova potentially included in negotiations to reduce the overall fee. Any such structure would lower the amount United receive under their sell-on clause.

Greenwood’s form at Marseille has drawn widespread praise. Former Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi was effusive in his assessment of the forward’s ceiling, stating: “He has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or. It will be up to him to decide whether he wants to do everything he can to fight for it or not.”

De Zerbi tempered the praise with a note of caution, adding: “I would like him to be more consistent. He needs to press with more intensity and manage the ball better when the team is in trouble.”

Off the pitch, Greenwood switched international allegiances last year, receiving his Jamaican passport in August 2025 and opening the door to represent his grandparents’ country at international level.