Al-Hilal Launch £87m Swoop for Greenwood as Man Utd Plot Shock Old Trafford Return

The Saudi Pro League's Al-Hilal have reportedly lodged a €100m (£87m) offer to prise Mason Greenwood away from Marseille, though the Ligue 1 side appear unmoved by the proposition.

Greenwood's journey back to the spotlight has been a complicated one. The 24-year-old was suspended by Manchester United on 30 January 2022 following allegations involving a young woman, with explicit images and videos shared online. Facing charges of attempted rape and assault, his future looked bleak until the Crown Prosecution Service discontinued proceedings in February 2023.

The striker eventually departed Old Trafford in July 2024, joining Marseille for €31.6m—a deal that saw United retain a 50 per cent sell-on clause, a detail that could prove significant in coming weeks.

Since his move to France, Greenwood has impressed considerably. Last season brought 21 goals and five assists across 34 Ligue 1 outings. This campaign, he's been equally prolific with 15 goals and four assists in 23 appearances across all competitions, though a blank canvas arrived in Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League defeat to Liverpool, following his solitary strike in Marseille's 5-2 demolition of Angers on Saturday.

Marseille's valuation has climbed to €100m in recent months, with the French club well aware that half of any sale revenue flows back to United. Should such a figure materialise, the Red Devils would pocket €50m (£43.5m)—and whispers suggest that threshold has now been breached.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Al-Hilal's €100m proposal has landed on the table, yet Marseille harbour "no intention" of facilitating Greenwood's departure. The sporting risk looms large; finding an adequate replacement who can replicate his output appears a daunting prospect for the Ligue 1 outfit.

Yet the Saudi interest arrives against a rather intriguing backdrop. Reports emerged Thursday suggesting Manchester United are actively considering a Greenwood homecoming, with the club having negotiated a buy-back clause when offloading him two-and-a-half years ago. According to Football Insider, United officials have "internally discussed" the prospect, with January mooted as a potential window for his return.

Should Greenwood rejoin United, the report indicates the Old Trafford hierarchy would likely shelve further recruitment this window. The club had prioritised midfield reinforcements, but a Greenwood deal could prompt them to reserve their resources for summer business instead.