Serie A

ANOTHER foreign team is showing interest in offering Manchester United exile Mason Greenwood an escape after being dumped.A potential new move abroad is being lined up for the former England striker after the decision to let him leave Old Trafford.
Mason Greenwood reportedly has a new transfer option overseas in EuropeCredit: PA
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has rejected talk of a move to his Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.
And ex-Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has ruled out a reunion with him at Serie A side AS Roma in Italy.
Yet Greenwood could be welcome at a new club abroad – but in the relative footballing backwater of Albania, talkSport reports.
An unnamed side in the Balkan Peninsula nation are said to have expressed interest in the 21-year-old striker.
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Albania’s international team first qualified for a major tournament when reaching the 2016 UEFA European Championship in France.
Greenwood has been absent from Premier League club United’s first team since being arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and coercive control in January last year.
All charges against him were dropped in February but he has remained suspended by the Red Devils.
An announcement by United on Monday revealed Greenwood would be leaving the club in what they called a “collaborative decision”.
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Yet it remained unclear whether his £75,000-a-week contract would be terminated or if he would be sold or sent out on loan.
The player issued a statement admitting he’d “made mistakes”.
United risk losing millions if Greenwood doesn’t find a move elsewhere before the transfer window closes this time next week.
If he remains on their books they club could have to pay him a hefty fee to cancel his contract which is only due to expire in 2025.
Yet they could be reprieved if a Saudi club opts for the player because their league’s window extends until September 20.
New recruits to the Saudi league include Greenwood’s ex-United colleague Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazilian striker Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid’s France forward Karim Benzema.

AL-ETTIFAQ MOVE ‘FAKE NEWS’
Al-Ettifaq swooped for England vice-captain and midfielder Jordan Henderson, joining from Liverpool for wages of £700,000 per week.
Yet former Three Lions skipper Gerrard, who took over at Al-Ettifaq last month, posted an Instagram story on Tuesday dismissing speculation about a move for Greenwood “fake news”.
Other clubs linked with the player have included Galatasaray and Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey.
United’s decision to go separate ways with Greenwood was welcomed by former England and United right-back Gary Neville.
Yet the club’s handling of situation was also labelled “horrible” by the ex-defender who now works as a Sky Sports pundit.
Greenwood’s Old Trafford exit was described as “inevitable and right” by the BBC’s Match Of The Day presenter and ex-England captain Gary Lineker.
But football clubs more widely were urged by women’s charities to do better when dealing with such allegations.
Lifelong United fan Rachel Riley last week said she would no longer support United if they let Greenwood come back.
The Channel 4’s Countdown co-host and Strictly Come Dancing contestant later welcomed his departure but accused United of having “handled this appallingly”.
Greenwood’s last United appearance was in a 1-0 Premier League win against West Ham United on January 22 last year.
He was charged in October last year by the Crown Prosecution Service and was due to go on trial this November.
But the case was withdrawn on February 2 after his alleged victim as well as 12 further witnesses declined to co-operate.
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The player born in Bradford in West Yorkshire has been at United since age six and hit 35 goals in 129 matches for the club.
He was given an England debut – and solitary cap – by manager Gareth Southgate in September 2020, as a late sub against Iceland.
All charges against the ex-England striker were dropped in FebruaryCredit: EPA
Celebrity fan Rachel Riley had threatened to quit supporting United if he stayed More

MANCHESTER United exile Mason Greenwood is in line for a £10million Saudi Arabia deal with Steven Gerrard – or else a potential reunion with Jose Mourinho.The former England striker is being eyed up by Saudi club Al-Ettifaq, who this summer appointed Liverpool legend Gerrard as manager.
Mason Greenwood could be offered a reunion with Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty
Steven Gerrard’s new club are in line to offer a £10million-a-year dealCredit: AFP
Former United boss Mourinho has been linked with signing the striker for RomaCredit: AFP
United’s handling of the saga prompted Old Trafford protests last weekCredit: Getty
Other Saudi clubs are also considering a move for the 21-year-old after United announced he’d be leaving, The Sun can reveal.
He is on the radar of not only ex-United boss Mourinho’s Serie A side AS Roma in Italy but also one of Turkey’s leading clubs Galatasaray.
The Sun understands several Saudi clubs are interested, including Gerrard’s side who are considering whether to offer a £10million-a-year deal.
Al-Ettifaq’s signings this summer include England vice-captain Jordan Henderson from Liverpool, now being paid £700,000 per week.
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Meanwhile, Galatasaray have recruited Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace on a free transfer and Hakim Ziyech on loan from Chelsea.
Reports of the potential moves come just hours after the Old Trafford club announced Greenwood would be leaving – though it could cost the Premier League giants millions of pounds.
United today revealed they had come to a “collaborative decision” with the 21-year-old forward for him to move on.
But the club did not say whether his £75,000-a-week contract would be terminated or whether he would be put on loan or sold.
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They now face a scramble to get rid of Greenwood in just ten days or face losing millions.
If United haven’t sold or loaned him out by September 1 when football’s summer transfer window closes, they could have to pay him millions to cancel his contract which is due to expire in 2025.
They could only go beyond the deadline if Greenwood is picked up by a club in Saudi Arabia because their window closes on September 20.
But Roma have re-emerged tonight as a potential top contender for Greenwood’s signing, according to talkSPORT.
The Sun revealed in July how Mourinho had telephoned Greenwood to sound him out about a loan move to Roma.
A source said at the time: “Jose rang Mason’s dad and also spoke with Mason.
“He told him the best way out of his current situation is to start playing football — and that eventually all the hassle will fade away.
“Mason was pleased that he got in touch and it has lifted his spirits.
“He wants to get back playing and is just waiting for United to tell him what the future holds.”
Former Red Devils defender Chris Smalling — who played with Greenwood — left Old Trafford for Roma on loan in 2019.
United are said to have had contact with other Italian teams Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan about Greenwood.
Mourinho gave Greenwood his Red Devils first-team debut in July 2018, during a pre-season friendly tour of the United States.
NEVILLE CONDEMNS ‘HORRIBLE’ HANDLING
Greenwood hasn’t played for the first team since being arrested in January last year on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
All charges against him were dropped in February but the footballer remained suspended by United.
Members of Manchester United Women’s team reportedly raised concerns about Greenwood returning to the training ground.
Women’s charities have welcomed today’s decision and told of “relief” but say more must be done by football clubs.
The move was also tonight praised by Channel 4’s Countdown co-host and Strictly Come Dancing star Rachel Riley, who said last week she would stop supporting United if they allowed Greenwood back.
United legend Gary Neville tonight condemned the club for its “horrible” handling of the Greenwood saga but described the player’s departure as “the right decision”.
His comments came after the BBC’s Match Of The Day host and ex-Three Lions skipper Gary Lineker broke his silence on the news.
Lineker posted on X, formerly named Twitter, how he felt United’s move was the “inevitable and right” end to an “untenable situation”.
Greenwood’s last game was on January 22, 2022, in a Premier League clash against West Ham United, which United won 1-0.
He was charged in October last year and was due to stand trial in November this year.
But prosecutors withdrew the case on February 2 after his alleged victim and a dozen more witnesses refused to co-operate.
United said today they had taken into account the “wishes, rights and perspective of the alleged victim along with the club’s standards and values, and sought to collate as much information and context as possible”.
The club added: “Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material alleged did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged
“That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for.
“All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.”
GREENWOOD ADMITS MAKING ‘MISTAKES’
Greenwood also released a statement insisting he had not done what he was accused of but was “learning to understand” his “responsibilities as a professional footballer”.
He added: “I want to start by saying I understand that people will judge me and I know people will think the worst.
“I was brought up to know that violence or abuse is wrong.
“I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges.
“However, I fully accept I made mistakes.”
He added: “I intend to be a better footballer, but most importantly a good father, a better person, and to use my talents in a positive way on and off the pitch.”
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Bradford-born Greenwood has scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for United, having joined the club as a six-year-old.
He was given his England debut by manager Gareth Southgate as a late substitute against Iceland in September 2020, though has not played for the country since.
Mourinho brought Greenwood into the United first team in summer 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
The forward has not played for United since they faced West Ham in January last yearCredit: Getty
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against him in FebruaryCredit: AFP More