Lazio president Claudio Lotito has claimed that a deadline-day move for Manchester United's Mason Greenwood fell through due to the Red Devils' failure to countersign.
The 21-year-old is set to resume his football career on loan with Spanish outfit Getafe for the 2023-24 season after he was given the green light to return to competitive action.
Greenwood saw all the criminal charges against him dropped earlier this year, having been due to face trial over accusations of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The Red Devils had Greenwood under contract until 2025, and following a lengthy internal investigation, the club were supposedly preparing to facilitate his return.
However, following enormous backlash, Man United quickly performed a U-turn and decided that Greenwood would not be continuing his career at Old Trafford, although there was little interest in a permanent move for the attacker.
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A proposed switch to Saudi Arabia did not come to fruition, allegedly due to the league's concerns at how Greenwood's arrival might negatively impact them, and a move to Lazio was subsequently mooted.
However, a deal could not be struck before the Italian transfer window closed earlier on deadline day, allowing La Liga side Getafe to secure his services on a temporary basis.
Speaking to La Lazio Siamo Noi after the saga drew to a close, Lazio chief Lotito claimed that Greenwood was keen on a move to Italy, but Man United's failure to exchange documents saw a deal collapse.
"I tried until the last minute. They didn't countersign in time. He wanted to come to Lazio," Lotito told the publication, as Greenwood prepares to resume his career away from English football.
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Before his initial arrest in January 2022, Greenwood had come up with 35 goals and 12 assists in 129 games for Man United, having risen through the Red Devils' academy ranks.
The England international won his first and only cap for the Three Lions in a Nations League tie with Iceland in 2020, and Getafe do not have an option or obligation to make his stay permanent.
As a result, Greenwood will be back in Manchester next summer, but he will either be permanently sold or have his contract terminated unless the Red Devils have another change of heart.
The striker was not named in Getafe's squad for Saturday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid, though, and it may be some time before he makes his debut for the La Liga side.
Ben Knapton
