GETAFE reportedly believe that Manchester United have triggered an extension to Mason Greenwood’s contract.
The star striker is on loan at Getafe FC in Spain, but is still on United’s books for this season as they decide what to do with him.
Getafe believe the Red Devils have already triggered the option to extend Greenwood’s contract for another year, The Athletic reports.
United are yet to make a contract announcement about the 22-year-old.
Triggering Greenwood’s contract extension would protect the striker’s value for United as it would give the club more of his contract to sell to another club.
Greenwood’s contract is currently set to end in May 2025.
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The Athletic wrote: “An extension would also give United a longer window to push through a sale, allowing them to recoup a fee until the summer of 2026.”
Getafe reportedly believe that United has already triggered that extension and they now believe his contract will run until 2026.
But senior Manchester United figures have disputed that the extension has been triggered to The Athletic.
“No discussions have been held to that effect — either with the player, his family or any interested clubs.”
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They say they have no urgency with the deadline a year away, plus the club doesn’t have to inform the public of its decision.
Extending Greenwood’s contract would suit United if they seek to sell him as they would need remaining time on the contract as they likely seek to avoid losing him to a free transfer.
Getafe is interested in keeping Greenwood, either in a permanent transfer or on loan for another season.
Greenwood has impressed for Getafe, scoring eight goals in 27 games in all competitions.
New owner Jim Ratcliffe had opened the door for Greenwood’s return to the club after it was thought to be unthinkable.
Greenwood, who went on loan to Getafe in September, has not featured for United since he was suspended after being arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault in January 2022.
All charges were subsequently dropped but the Red Devils suggested the former England man was unlikely to return to the club.
Getafe are also reportedly entitled to 20 per cent of any sale of Greenwood.
New boss Ratcliffe previously spoke about the Greenwood situation, saying: “We will make a decision.
“I don’t know if he (Greenwood) could still have a future.
“All I can do is talk about the principle of how we will approach decisions like that.
“Is he the right type of footballer? Are we happy with that? Is he a good person or not?
“He (Greenwood) is a Manchester United footballer and we are in charge of football.
“So the answer is it’s quite clear we have to make a decision.
Mason Greenwood timeline
MARCH 2019: Greenwood makes his debut for United. He has gone on to make 129 appearances, scoring 35 goals.
SEPTEMBER 2020: Wins his first senior England cap as a sub in a 1-0 away win over Iceland, left. Two days later he is withdrawn from the squad for breaching Covid guidelines by leaving the part of the hotel the squad was in.
FEBRUARY 2021: United announce the striker has signed a contract until June 2025, with the option to extend it for another 12 months.
JANUARY 2022: Held on suspicion of rape and assault. United suspend him on full pay.
FEBRUARY 2022: Sponsors including Nike end relationship with him.
OCTOBER 2022: Greenwood is arrested for breach of bail. He is charged the following day with attempted rape, assault and controlling behaviour and due to appear at Manchester magistrates court. Trial set for November 2023.
FEBRUARY 2 2023: CPS announces it has dropped all charges. United announce they will hold their own investigation.
FEBRUARY 2023: The Sun reports he is due to become a dad.
August 2023: Manchester United bosses complete an internal investigation and say Greenwood won’t return to the team in a “mutual agreement”.
September 2023: Mason Greenwood signs a loan deal from Manchester United to play for Getafe FC in the Spanish capital.
“There is no decision that’s been made. He’s on loan obviously but he’s not the only one.
Getafe Manager Jose Bordalas has been clear about his club’s openness to keeping Greenwood.
He said: “In the end his club decides and also the boy’s intentions regarding his future count.
“But I can say we are happy with his behaviour and his performance.”
Reports have suggested that United could demand £40million for Greenwood.
Getafe are unable to afford such a hefty fee and instead want to extent his loan stay beyond the summer.
European giants like Barcelona and Juventus are potentially interested in signing him.
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But, other European teams like Lazio, Valencia and Real Sociedad are also said to be eyeing the 22-year-old.
Manchester United has been approached for comment.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
