Lazio sporting director Angelo Fabiani has explained his relief at missing out on signing Mason Greenwood.
The former Manchester United striker joined Marseille last month for £30million after a year on loan at Getafe, having been told he could no longer play for Man Utd due to his much-publicised sexual assault accusations. Greenwood denied the claims and police charges were dropped in 2023.
French team Marseille have been criticised for signing Greenwood, 22, and Fabiani has insisted he is pleased to have avoided the deal, for a player he has described as a “mercenary”.
“We wanted Greenwood last year, then there was a hitch with the player - you all know what Greenwood’s problem was,” he told Lazio club media, via TMW.
“An agent this year approached us with the idea of Greenwood moving to Italy. We gave him a deadline, from there an auction was unleashed and I thought I could go up to a certain limit.
“We offered £22m for 50 per cent of the player, we’re talking about €26m.
“He preferred to take another path and I say that the best deals are those that aren’t made. I want [Nicolo] Rovella, [Mattia] Zaccagni, players who love the environment where they work.
“I don’t want these mercenaries, it’s lucky not to make certain deals. I could sell myself for €50,000 more but I have values that my parents passed on to me.
“If he’s taken another path, we wish Greenwood the best of luck.”
Greenwood netted his first Marseille goal this week in a friendly against second-tier side Pau FC.
The former England international has spoken of his desire to put his past behind him as he begins his new life in Ligue 1.
“Obviously, I am aware of this debate and I understand the question,” he stated. “I do not wish to enter into any controversy. I already had the opportunity to express myself on this subject last year.
'I am now looking towards the future and I am only focused on Olympique de Marseille and on our new life, together, in Marseille.”
