Exclusive: Manchester United could land millions in 2025 as Barcelona and Real Madrid eye £26.6m forward

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• EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been looking to cut costs since arriving at Manchester United.

Since INEOS became involved at Old Trafford, we have seen Sir Alex Ferguson removed from his £2m-a-year ambassadorial role, many long-serving staff members dismissed as part of a redundancy programme, while rumours state the Red Devils are also thinking about cutting some of the £40,000-a-year payment towards the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association.

There were even protests ahead of Sunday’s 4-0 Premier League win over Everton regarding the increase of matchday ticket prices.

Clearly, Ratcliffe wants to create some financial wriggle-room at Manchester United, potentially to ensure he can help Ruben Amorim build a competitive squad without upsetting the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

In 2025 – however – TBR Football understand Manchester United could receive millions without doing anything, due to Mason Greenwood.

Manchester United sell-on clause could pay off as Barcelona and Real Madrid target Mason Greenwood

Sources have now informed TBR Football that Barcelona and Real Madrid are closely monitoring the Marseille No.10 after his excellent start to life in France.

The man from Bradford was signed by Marseille in a £26.6m move from Manchester United in July 2024 – after spending the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Getafe.

Greenwood has already netted nine goals in just 13 Ligue 1 appearances this season – while also providing two assists – form which has alerted Atletico Madrid as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid.

TBR Football understand the Spanish trio were initially impressed by the 23-year-old’s efforts at Getafe, where he scored ten goals and assisted a further six in 36 appearances, and their admiration remains.

There was interest last summer, although each side had different priorities to address.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will all continue to monitor Greenwood heading into 2025, a year in which Manchester United, who face Arsenal on Wednesday without Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez, could see their sell-on clause pay off handsomely in the event of a lucrative transfer to Spain.

What Manchester United negotiated when selling Mason Greenwood to Marseille

There is yet to be a concrete, definitive figure stated in the media in regards to the value of Manchester United’s sell-on clause for Greenwood.

However, TBR Football understand it is worth around 50% – which could secure INEOS a small fortune and alleviate the need for Ratcliffe to undergo any further cost cutting procedures.

It could also help Amorim, who has transformed warm-ups at Manchester United, bring in some of his own players.

If Greenwood maintains his impressive form, he could well be worth £50m next summer, which – if a move materialised for that amount – would net Manchester United roughly £25m, to provide an example of just how lucrative that clause could prove to be in the coming months.