12 March 2024 , 09:30
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Manchester United chiefs John Murtough and Matt Hargreaves have been spotted in Barcelona amid speculation that Mason Greenwood could join the La Liga champions.
Greenwood, 22, remains on loan at fellow Spanish side Getafe, scoring six goals and registering five assists throughout the season. The once-capped England international made the move to Madrid following United's initial decision for Greenwood to continue his career away from the club after having charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm - all of which he denied - dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023.
His loan spell with Getafe is due to come to an end in June and Barcelona are the team most prominently linked with acquiring his services - even after fans booed him during his recent appearance against Xavi's side. That's despite new United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refusing to rule out a return to Old Trafford under his new INEOS -led footballing regime.
Speculation about Greenwood joining Barca spiked on Monday after footage of Murtough and Hargreaves emerged from Catalunya, but all isn't what it seems. As captured by Spanish outlet Jijantes, Red Devils football director Murtough and chief negotiator Hargreaves were in the city for a meeting with Barcelona sporting director Deco. Frank Trimboli, the head of football at the Base Soccer agency, and Spain-based Base agent Federico Massai, who lives in Madrid, were also present.
As explained by the Manchester Evening News, however, Murtough and Hargreaves were only in Barcelona for what's been described as a routine meeting. In fact, Murtough - who began his role three years ago - travelled to the city outside of the transfer window last season, and has also met sporting directors at Juventus and AC Milan.
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The pair's meeting came just four days after Catalan-based news outlet Sport broke the news that Barca are turning the screws on their pursuit, having acquired information on the 22-year-old's situation and been informed that United are interested in some of their academy players. Greenwood's contact expires in the summer of 2025, although the Red Devils do have an option to extend it by a further 12 months.
Ratcliffe and co haven't yet announced a decision on Greenwood's future and aren't expected to until the summer. "It's a fresh decision," the INEOS chairman, who now owns 27.7 per cent of United, recently explained.
"I can talk about the principle. I am not going to talk about Mason. I am familiar with it. The principle is the important one. We will have other issues going forwards. You are dealing with young people who have not always been brought up in the best circumstances, who have a lot of money and they don’t always have the guidance they should have.
"What we need to do when we have issues like that is understand real effects, not the hype. Then we need to make a fair decision in the light of the club's values. That's what we need to do and that’s how we will deal with it."