Marseille break silence on Mason Greenwood's future amid talk of Saudi interest in former Man United striker

Olympique de Marseille have insisted Mason Greenwood is not for sale despite growing speculation linking the former Manchester United forward with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.

Reports in French media this week suggested several Saudi Pro League clubs had expressed interest in signing the 23-year-old, who has hit the ground running in pre-season after scoring 21 goals in Ligue 1 last term.

But Marseille's sporting director Mehdi Benatia has now addressed the rumours head-on, telling 365Scores Arabia: 'Greenwood will stay with us. He is not for sale.'

Benatia added: 'We want to keep him and consider him a key part of OM's project for the upcoming season.'

Benatia's comments pour cold water on claims that Marseille were considering cashing in on Greenwood, who joined the French side from United last summer for a fee of £27million, with a further £3.2m in potential add-ons.

United reportedly inserted a 50 per cent sell-on clause into the agreement, meaning they would stand to make a significant profit should the striker be sold — but for now, such a windfall looks unlikely.

French newspaper L'Equipe previously suggested that Marseille could demand a fee in the region of €50m (£44m) if they were to sell Greenwood.

Yet Benatia's firm stance suggests that Marseille remain committed to keeping their No 10, who has become a talismanic figure under head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Greenwood has been in scintillating form during pre-season, scoring six goals in friendlies, including a smart header against Sevilla on Saturday and a hat-trick against Dutch side Excelsior Maassluis last month.

De Zerbi has publicly praised the ex-England international in recent months, saying in April: 'Greenwood is a natural talent, thanks to his mother and father.

'I am here to help him become more complete. When he needs a hug or a few supportive words, I will gladly give it.

'When I need to be on him to give more, I will do it. That is my job. Above all, I want to help him be remembered, in this stadium and by these fans, as one of the best to ever play at the Stade Velodrome.

'There have been so many great players here, but I think Greenwood can be remembered like that. I'm trying to help him reach that level.'

Greenwood has a new strike partner this summer in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who rejoined the club this week after spending last season with Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League.

Aubameyang has also spoken glowingly about Greenwood.

'He's the starboy! He's very strong, very good,' Aubameyang said of his new team-mate during his unveiling.

'In Saudi Arabia, I had a team-mate who had played with him in Spain and told me he was a phenomenon. I'm happy he's with us.'

Greenwood scored 22 goals in all competitions last season, helping Marseille to a second-placed finish in Ligue 1 and a return to the Champions League.

That came after he bagged 10 times in 36 appearances for Getafe during a loan spell in the 2023-24 campaign.

Prior to that Greenwood had not played a game of professional football since January 2022 — a month in which he was arrested on suspicion of raping and assaulting a woman.

Greenwood was subsequently charged with a number of offences which were later all dropped.