Tottenham are not working on a deal for Mason Greenwood, despite the speculation that has circulated around the forward. The bigger story is financial for Manchester United, who hold a 40% sell-on clause on Greenwood and could still benefit if Marseille decide to sell.

Tottenham are out, but the Greenwood talk has not gone away

The clearest line from the reporting is that Spurs are not in for Greenwood. That cuts through the north London noise and leaves the focus on Marseille, where Roberto De Zerbi has been upbeat about the player’s environment and his place at the club.

De Zerbi said: "I don't want to get involved in anyone's private life. All I can see is that Mason seems a good lad; he paid in a strong way for what happened. He has probably here found the right environment for him, which gave him affection, and held out its hand to him."

He also added: "When I look at him as a person, I feel sad for what happened in his life, without getting into the details. Because the person I know here is very different to the one that has been described, especially in England."

That support does not mean Marseille are closing the door on a sale. Reports say they want at least £47m (€55m), with Roma linked to a £43.3m package including add-ons. Others have put the valuation much higher, but the only safe reading is that Marseille are not talking about a cheap exit.

Why United still have a stake in the deal

Greenwood has 48 goals and 17 assists in 81 appearances in France, a return that explains why Marseille can push for a serious fee. It also explains why United’s clause matters. A 40% sell-on on any future deal keeps Old Trafford involved even though the player has been away from the club.

That does not make a sale certain, and it does not make Tottenham part of the picture. It does mean the transfer chatter has a wider financial consequence than the one usually attached to a rumour about a winger changing clubs.

For United, the relevant question is not whether Spurs come back in. It is whether Marseille get the price they want and move Greenwood on at all. If they do, United stand to take a cut, and that is the part of this story worth watching when the window opens.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →