Mason Greenwood: GOAT prediction made over ousted Man Utd forward by thrilled Getafe as news emerges of another transfer snub
Mason Greenwood is determined to take his second chance at Getafe with both hands with one observer explaining why there is a feeling in Spain that the Manchester United loanee is destined to become the LaLiga side’s greatest ever player.
The 21-year-old is looking to get his career back on track in Spain after being loaned out to the Madrid-based club for the rest of the season. And Greenwood, who has not played professional football since January 2022 – some 20 months ago, is in line to make his Getafe debut against Osasuna straight after the international break.
United took the decision that Greenwood’s career was best served away from Old Trafford after an internal review into the player. And while the player saw all criminal charges against him dropped by the CPS following the withdrawal of a key witness, his planned phased return at Man Utd was ultimately deemed too controversial.
That was despite claims that United boss Erik ten Hag was prepared to stand by the player and integrate him back into the first-team fold. To that end, it is claimed that the Bradford-born forward still dreams of playing for United and salvaging his Red Devils career. And to enchance those claims, talk has emerged this week that Greenwood could yet sign a new United deal.
Ultimately, however, his immediate focus is very much on Getafe and his second chance in football. The LaLiga club, controversially, have welcomed him into their fold with open arms. And with Getafe sporting director Ruben Reyes downplaying those who question the wisdom of his signing, this article here explains exactly what Getafe were prepared to bring him in on loan.
Mason Greenwood tipped to become Getafe’s GOAT
Despite what Reyes says, there is no doubting that Getafe, for a long-time regarded as Madrid’s poor cousins of Real and Atletico, sensed an opportunity of a lifetime with Greenwood.
The social media fanfare that has greeted his signing from United is testimony to that. It also lends to their quest to try – albeit controversially – to grow their brand and reach across not just Spain, but around the world too.
Behind the scenes, however, Getafe also believe they have signed a player who, on paper at least, can become the club’s Greatest of all time – the Getafe GOAT!
A £42.5m asset before his arrest in January 2022, Greenwood is already the most valuable player ever on the books in the Spanish club’s 40-year history.
Founded as recently as 1983, competition, admittedly, is not that tough.
Outlining their delight at securing Greenwood and their hopes for him, Spanish journalist Guillermo Rai wrote in The Athletic: “In the club’s offices and in the dressing room, Getafe still believe Greenwood will need time to get up to speed physically and settle in Madrid.
“They do not deny that he could be the best player they have had in their history.”
As stated, competition for that mantle is arguably not tough. A brief look through the history books shows that Pablo Sarabia, now of Wolves, former France, Chelsea and Newcastle striker Loic Remy, 46-times capped Argentina goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri and ex-Tottenham man Roberto Soldado are the other other contenders for such a mantle.
Getafe move came around after another transfer miss is revealed
With Greenwood’s move to Getafe clearly welcomed by their fanbase, the LaLiga club had to fend off quite a lot of competition to get a deal done.
With Premier League clubs scared off from doing a deal, interest from the continent came far and wide once it was revealed United were willing to let the 35-goal frontman leave on loan.
Lazio’s failure to sign him has already provoked an angry reaction from their disgruntled president Claudio Lotito.
And Turkish side Besiktas for a long time in deadline day week appeared to be in the driving seat before Getafe’s late intervention.
Now it has emerged that a possible transfer route to France was also closed off to the once-capped England man in the closing days of the summer window.
That’s after Brest’s sporting director claims his side rejected an offer to bring in the controversial forward.
“I was offered Greenwood, who Manchester United sacked for a non-sporting matter. But between the controversy and the salary, we didn’t consider following it up for a second,” said Lorenzi.
Per reports, Getafe are, however, paying just £25,000 a week of Greenwood’s current £75,000 a week package.
