Manchester United have declined to trigger Mason Greenwood's buy-back clause, and that leaves Fenerbahçe in front for now. The move is not finished, because Al Ahly have also made a late push, but the key decision has already been made in Manchester. United are expected to receive over £10m from a sell-on clause.
The decision from United
Fabrizio Romano said: "Manchester United informed OM they do NOT trigger the buy back clause for Mason Greenwood."
That clears the path away from Old Trafford. Romano also said Marseille and Fenerbahçe are already agreed and that the deal is moving toward travel to Istanbul.
United sold Greenwood to Marseille in summer 2024, and the numbers there help explain why he still has a market. He scored 48 goals and added 17 assists in 81 appearances for Marseille, production that kept multiple clubs interested.
Fenerbahçe and the late Al Ahly push
Ben Jacobs said: "Fenerbahce now optimistic on closing the Mason Greenwood deal, but Al-Ahli have tried today to hijack it. Fenerbahce already have an agreement in principle with Marseille and believe they have player buy-in as well. Yet calls have taken place today between Al-Ahli and Greenwood."
That leaves Fenerbahçe ahead, but not home and dry. Jacobs' reporting makes clear that Al Ahly are still trying to force their way in, and Greenwood's own approval still matters before anything can be treated as done.
The fee picture is less tidy. Reporting has put the agreed price at over €40million, while other coverage has framed it as €40m plus €2m in bonuses. United's take also varies in reporting, although one consistent point is that they stand to receive over £10m through the sell-on clause.
What happens next is the travel to Istanbul and the final decision from Greenwood. The move is close, United have stepped back, and Fenerbahçe remain the side best placed to finish it.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →