According to reports, Lazio will make Man Utd an offer for Mason Greenwood in exchange for Pep Guardiola.
Lazio could offer Man Utd a player for Mason Greenwood. (Image: GETTY)
According to sources, Lazio is prepared to get inventive in their pursuit of Mason Greenwood by making a player offer to Manchester United as part of the agreement. Although Christos Mandas has been linked to Manchester City, Pep Guardiola might be dissatisfied if he chooses to play at Old Trafford.
Greenwood’s summer departure from United is all but guaranteed, having spent the entire season on loan at La Liga side Getafe.
Due to the 22-year-old’s impressive achievements in Spain, Lazio seems to be winning the competition to sign him.
According to reports earlier this week, the Serie A team was already negotiating a £30 million contract for Greenwood in an effort to stave off interest from rival teams.
Though it was believed that Lazio’s initial bid included performance-related bonuses, United values Greenwood at approximately £40 million. It may take additional effort to reach a deal.
Il Messaggero, an Italian publication, said on Friday that CEO Claudio Lotito was pressuring the former Red Devils No. 11 to sign.
According to the article, Lazio is preparing a second proposal that would involve spending about £15 million and custodian Christos Mandas, after their initial bid was unsuccessful.
After swooping for Mandas, City is said to have already been turned down. The Greece international was targeted by City to increase competition between the goalies.
Christos Mandas is a reported Man City target. (Image: Getty)
If he were to move to the opposite side of Manchester as part of a deal for Greenwood, Guardiola would be irate.
Given the club’s pressing need for money to increase their summer transfer budget, United is unlikely to accept such an offer.
The club also doesn’t see the need for a new custodian, since Andre Onana is currently Erik ten Hag’s first choice and Altay Bayindir provides a solid backup.
Any potential suitors hoping to lure Greenwood away from Old Trafford will undoubtedly need to come up with the £40 million asking price set by United.
If United isn’t sure their demands will be met, they might even accept another season-long loan with a buyout clause.
A deal for Greenwood won’t be finalised by Lazio alone before the European transfer window opens on July 1.
The fact that Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and Napoli are rumoured to be in the running could persuade the English striker to deliberate carefully before making a choice.
In the interim, United will look into additional sales; the players most frequently associated with departures right now are Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, and Jadon Sancho.
