Mason Greenwood will join Marseille from Manchester United in 2024, with the French club president speaking out about the forward’s controversial transfer decision
Mason Greenwood signs for Marseille in 2024 (Image: Getty Images)
Marseille president Pablo Longoria has admitted he sought advice from his mother ahead of the controversial signing of Mason Greenwood. The striker signed for the French side from Manchester United in 2024 for £26 million.
Greenwood, 24, has since made 64 appearances for Marseille, scoring 42 goals. His initial signing was widely criticized and Greenwood faced charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control, although these charges were later dropped by the CPS.
Longoria has now asked her mother for advice and spoken candidly about her decision to take Greenwood to the Stade Velodrome in the face of controversy. In an interview with the Telegraph, he said:
“Creating taboos in life is never a positive thing. For us, this was a huge market opportunity from a sports perspective where we analyzed very carefully what actually happened.
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“In that case, I did my due diligence and had all the information, so this is the first time I’m talking about this, but with all the information I called my mom. And I said, ‘How do you feel knowing the whole situation?’
“And my mother worked in prisons in Spain and had a model of a very innovative prison system in Spain. She was recognized as having been awarded the National Medal. So with all this information I ask her, ‘What would you do in my shoes?’ And she said to me, ‘Just do it.’ Contains all information.
“I wanted someone who didn’t have an athletic motive, because she was talented and her only motive was for her son, not as a president, but as a man. And for me, it was very important that she knew all of that and said to me, ‘Go for it.’
Pablo Longoria spoke candidly about Marseille’s decision to sign Mason Greenwood (Image: Getty Images)
Greenwood has been linked with a number of clubs since his move to France, but Longoria is determined to keep the forward. Furthermore, he added:
“He is performing, he has the numbers, he has the talent. At the same time, it is a question of whether we are in the same position, and it is also a time to analyze, despite all the difficulties, the financial situation and the ecosystem of French football.”
“But if we all agree on Mason, I think he still has a future here. I think that’s what he needs too because we know the Mason this season is not the Mason he was last season. I expect him to continue to grow and I want to help him get better every day.”
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