Liverpool boss Arne Slot believes former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood can ‘become one of the great players in the Premier League’ under his watch and ‘insists’ on a shock move for the 23-year-old.
A case against Greenwood of alleged rape and assault was discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service at the start of 2023 after the withdrawal of key witnesses significantly reduced the chance of conviction.
Man Utd pulled the plug on his return ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and he joined La Liga side Getafe on loan, contributing eight goals and six assists, before moving to Marseille in a permanent £26m deal ahead of the current campaign.
Greenwood is already being linked with another move after five goals and an assist in his first seven games for the Ligue 1 side, with Barcelona thought to be chief among his suitors.
But according to a report in Spain, Liverpool may also enter the running for his signature with Arne Slot apparently viewing Greenwood as a possible replacement for Mohamed Salah, who’s out of contract at the end of the season.
It’s claimed Barcelona are attracted by the forward’s versatility, given he’s able to play anywhere across the frontline, but Slot and Liverpool are ‘willing to take advantage of’ Barcelona’s financial limitations.
Greenwood ‘fits perfectly in the future plans of the Reds’ and Slot believes he can ‘become one of the great players in the Premier League’ and be ‘key to keeping the team competing at the highest level’.
MORE LIVERPOOL COVERAGE ON F365
👉 Van Dijk assault and Saka harrassment feature in ten terrible unpunished fouls
👉 So-called crisis club Man United among four still flawless in Premier League point-spaffing table
👉 Liverpool: Arne Slot reveals worrying injury prediction as it ‘doesn’t look good’ for key Reds star
It’s thought Liverpool are ‘leading the race’ over Barcelona to land Greenwood with ‘Slot’s insistence on this signing’ potentially ‘decisive’ as they prepare to ‘make a strong investment to secure his signing’.
Liverpool’s interest is unlikely to improve the mood of a number of key Manchester United figures who regret selling Greenwood for such a modest fee, according to GiveMeSport.
‘Key figures within Manchester United expected Greenwood to go on and become a £100million talent after seeing him break into the first-team picture following his progress through the youth ranks, according to GMS sources, and they remain extremely disappointed to have lost out on securing a potential nine-figure sum in the future.
‘GMS sources have been informed that La Liga giants Barcelona are interested in offering Greenwood a quickfire route out of his current surroundings, with head coach Hansi Flick and president Joan Laporta eyeing an opportunity to land a high-level performer with genuine elite potential on the cheap.
‘The Ligue 1 outfit are in a strong negotiating position as the one-cap England international penned a five-year contract worth close to £75,000-per-week when he joined in the summer, but his form and the attraction of suitors have left Manchester United frustrated by how his Old Trafford career came to an end.
‘GMS sources have been told that Barcelona are not the only side looking to tempt Greenwood away from Marseille as numerous clubs currently competing in the Champions League are also believed to be keeping a close eye on how he progresses this season, with divisional rivals Paris Saint-Germain one of the admirers considering upping the ante.’
