Man Utd are set to sell Mason Greenwood. (Image: Getty)
Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has broken his silence on the club's interest in Mason Greenwood as they reportedly close in on a £27million agreement with Manchester United. Greenwood looks set to depart Old Trafford permanently this summer, and his exit at the currently-mooted price would break a 15-year record.
The 22-year-old generated heavyweight interest during his loan at Getafe last season, where he scored 10 goals in 36 appearances for the La Liga club.
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli and Valencia are said to be among his suitors as United prepare to cash in.
However, Marseille have emerged as the frontrunners for Greenwood's signature and are reportedly in advanced talks over a deal.
According to the Mail, the Ligue 1 outfit have tabled an offer worth £27m, which includes a significant sell-on fee that would see United profit from the academy graduate's next move.
Greenwood held brief but positive transfer discussions with INEOS chiefs when he reported to Carrington at the start of pre-season on Monday.
And all signs point towards a switch to Marseille, reportedly his preferred destination if his United career comes to an end in the coming weeks.
De Zerbi, who was appointed Marseille's new boss this summer after leaving Brighton and Hove Albion, has spoken out about Greenwood's potential arrival.
Marseille have made a £27m bid for Mason Greenwood. (Image: Getty)
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"He hasn't signed, there's not much to say. He's a world-class player," De Zerbi explained during a press conference on Tuesday.
"I don't know his background. No matter the player, once they sign here, they become like my children.
"I protect them through thick and thin. Maybe, in private I'll pull their ears, but in public, I'll defend them like my sons."
If United receive £27m for Greenwood, that amount would show on the books as pure profit, considering he has been at the club since the age of six.
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The Red Devils have only ever generated more profit from a player sale when Cristiano Ronaldo completed his £80m transfer to Real Madrid in 2009.
Sir Alex Ferguson sanctioned a £12m deal to lure him to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon as a teenager, making it a £68m gap.
United have developed a reputation for an inability to make money from player sales in the decade of financial mismanagement since Ferguson's retirement.
After Ronaldo, David Beckham (£25m), Dean Henderson (£20m), Danny Welbeck (£16m) and Anthony Elanga and James Garner (both £15m) make up United's top six biggest-ever sales in terms of profit.
