Stefan Borson: Man United included 'very unusual' clause in Greenwood deal

Manchester United gave Getafe a sell-on clause in the Mason Greenwood deal to help rebuild his reputation as a footballer and avoid him leaving on a free transfer.

That is the view of former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider it was a “very unusual” clause to include in the loan deal but that it was an “excellent” piece of negotiation from Getafe.

Greenwood spent the second half of last season on loan with the La Liga side after failing to make an appearance for Man United since he was arrested in January 2022 after being accused of attempted rape and assault, with the charges later dropped.

The one-cap England international registered 10 goals and six assists in 36 games during his time with Getafe, prompting interest from clubs across Europe in his services this summer.

The 22-year-old recently joined French club Marseille in a £26.7million deal after it was made clear his career at Old Trafford was over.

The Athletic reported on 23 July Getafe received 20 per cent of the fee and will also earn 20 per cent of any future earnings Man United make on Greenwood after they included a sell-on clause in the deal with Marseille.

Man United and Getafe both benefited from Mason Greenwood deal

Borson believes the agreement has worked for both Man United and Getafe following his successful loan and eventual sale.

“It’s like a rehabilitation clause,” Borson told Football Insider.

“It is very unusual obviously, but then the Greenwood situation was an unusual one. First of all, I suspect there wasn’t many takers for the player because of the issues, so they were on a small list.

“I think it’s excellent negotiation from Getafe to say ‘We are taking the risk from a reputational perspective of bringing the player in. If you were to sell him on, it would be largely because we rehabilitated the player as a footballer, which is something you, Manchester United, are not able to do because you can’t play him in your first team. If a club like us is not in the mix here, that player is going on a free transfer, so everything you can get post this loan is upside for you and we want a slice of it’.

“I think it was good negotiation and I can also see why United would pay the 20 per cent because it’s been good value for him at the end of the day.

“They have successfully rehabilitated him as a footballer and have put enough distance between the allegations and the conduct, such that they have been able to get the player sold for the best part of £25million, plus the clauses if he succeeds at Marseille.

“It worked for United and Getafe. It makes sense as long as you can put to one side any views you have in respect of Greenwood playing generally anyway, which is not an easy subject to deal with for the football club because of the complexity of the allegations.

“The deal has worked financially for United and they have managed to take the heat out of the situation, such that they are not being criticised quite as much as they might have been expected to be when selling him for £25million.”

In other news, expert reveals what Man United really paid Newcastle for Dan Ashworth.

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The post Stefan Borson: Man United included 'very unusual' clause in Greenwood deal appeared first on Football Insider.