Italian giants Lazio could reportedly still try to hijack Marseille's move for Manchester United attacker Mason Greenwood following the comments from the French city's mayor.
The two European giants are believed to have emerged as the leading contenders to prise Greenwood away from Old Trafford, where he has been informed that he has no future.
Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille are understood to have agreed a £26.7m deal to bring the one-cap England international to the Stade Velodrome, and Greenwood himself is keen on the move.
However, the mayor of Marseille - Benoit Payan - has publicly spoken out against the signing of Greenwood, claiming that the Olympiens would be "covered in shame" if the Man United man arrived.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, negotiations between Man United and Marseille have now stalled in the wake of Payan's comments, which also triggered a negative response from fans to the prospective arrival of Greenwood.
![Getafe's Mason Greenwood in action on May 3, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/mason-greenwood_2.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Getafe's Mason Greenwood in action on May 3, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Lazio 'offered Greenwood hope' as Marseille deal stalls
As a result, Lazio - who have been pursuing the 22-year-old's services for some time - have been offered hope that they could hijack the deal to sign Greenwood, who has been left 'intimidated' by the reaction of fans and the Marseille mayor.
Greenwood's father has apparently been holding talks with Marseille, who are still keen to sign the Englishman regardless of the backlash from the city mayor, but negotiations are no longer progressing smoothly.
While Lazio could therefore try to capitalise on the situation, a hijack still hinges on the Biancocelesti agreeing a fee with Man United, who were initially thought to be holding out for a fee of around £40m.
The Red Devils only have Greenwood under contract for another year, though, and Lazio would likely only have to match Marseille's offer if a move to the French side breaks down entirely.
Greenwood has a total of 35 goals and 12 assists to boast from 129 matches in a Man United jersey, while he also impressed on loan at Getafe last season with 10 goals and six assists from 36 matches.
Why does Greenwood have no future at Man United?
© Reuters
Not since January 2022 has Greenwood been seen in a Man United shirt, as following online allegations, he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault before being further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill.
The 22-year-old was subsequently charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, which he was due to stand trial for in November 2023.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges due to key witnesses withdrawing and new material coming to light, although Man United were still conducting their own internal review of the situation.
The Red Devils were purportedly happy for Greenwood to come back into the first team, but once news of their plans were leaked, they were forced to reverse their decision following an enormous uproar.
As the 22-year-old's contract expires in 2025, Man United are determined to bank some money for him this summer to avoid running the risk of losing him for nothing at the end of next season.
Ben Knapton
