Olympique de Marseille has insisted that Mason Greenwood is not for sale, despite the growing speculation that the former Manchester United supplements with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Reports in the French media suggested this week that various Saudi Pro League clubs had shown interest in signing the 23-year-old, who hit the ground in the preseason after scoring 21 goals in Ligue 1 previous term.
But Marseille's sports director Mehdi Benatia has now tackled the rumors frontally and tells 365SCORES Arabia: 'Greenwood stays with us. He is not for sale. '
Benatia added: “We want to keep him and consider him an important part of OM's project for the coming season.”
Benatia's comments cast cold water on claims that Marseille is considering cashing in Greenwood, which came to the French side of United last summer for a fee of £ 27 million, with another £ 3.2 million in potential add-ons.
United has reportedly inserted a 50 percent clause in the agreement, which means that they would make a considerable profit if the striker is sold for now, such a windfall seems unlikely.
The French newspaper L'Equipe suggested earlier that Marseille could demand compensation in the region of € 50 million (£ 44 million) if they would sell Greenwood.
Nevertheless, Benatia's fixed attitude suggests that Marseille is committed to keeping their No. 10, who has become a Talismian figure under head coach Roberto de Zerbi.
Greenwood is in sparkling form during the preseason and scored six goals in friendly matches, including a smart header against Seville on Saturday and a hat trick on the Dutch side Excelsior Maassluis last month.
In recent months, the Zerbi has publicly praised the ex-England international and said in April: 'Greenwood is a natural talent, thanks to his mother and father.
'I am here to help him become more complete. If he needs a hug or a few supporting words, I will be happy to give it.
'If I have to be on him to give more, I will do it. That's my job. Above all, I want to help him remember, in this stadium and by these fans, as one of the best to play in the Stade Velodrome.
'There have been so many great players here, but I think Greenwood can be remembered that way. I try to help him achieve that level. '
This summer, Greenwood has a new strike partner in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined the club again this week after spending last season with Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.
Aubameyang has also spoken about Greenwood.
“He's the Starboy! He is very strong, very good, “said Aubameyang about his new teammate during his revelation.
'In Saudi Arabia I had a teammate who had played with him in Spain and told me he was a phenomenon. I'm glad he is with us. '
Greenwood scored 22 goals in all competitions last season and helped Marseille to a second placed finish in Ligue 1 and a return to the Champions League.
That came after he won 10 times in 36 performances for Getafe in the 2023-24 campaign in the 2023-24.
Before that, Greenwood had not played professional football since January 2022 – a month in which he was arrested on suspicion of raping and attacking a woman.
Greenwood was then accused of a number of offenses that had all fell later.