Former Roma defender Medhi Benatia has emerged as a key intermediary in negotiations between the Giallorossi and Marseille as the Italian club pushes to sign Mason Greenwood before a critical financial deadline.
Deadline Pressure Mounts
Marseille must offload players before 30 June to avoid a severe Financial Fair Play breach, adding urgency to discussions over the controversial former Manchester United forward. Roma are also operating under constraints, bound by a UEFA settlement agreement that limits their spending flexibility.
According to reports, Roma have reached a complete agreement with Greenwood and his representatives over personal terms. The England international would earn an initial salary of €4.5 million per season plus performance bonuses, with wages structured to rise throughout the duration of his contract.
The Valuation Gap
Despite settling the contractual details with the player, Roma remain approximately €5 million to €10 million short of Marseille’s asking price. The French club value Greenwood at between €50 million and €55 million, partly because Manchester United hold a 40 per cent sell-on clause from his previous transfer. Roma are reportedly prepared to invest around €45 million including add-ons.
Benatia, who recently served as Marseille’s sporting director and continues to act as a transfer consultant for the club, is facilitating dialogue between the sides to bridge this financial divide.
Accounting Complications
Both clubs face complex accounting pressures tied to the 30 June cutoff. If Marseille sell Greenwood before this date, they can register the full transfer fee in their 2025-26 accounts immediately. Conversely, Roma could spread the cost of acquiring Greenwood across the length of his contract, but they may need to sell Argentine winger Mathias Soule—who has attracted lucrative interest from the Saudi Pro League—to free up registration capacity under their own UEFA restrictions.
What Happens Next
The next 48 hours will prove decisive. Roma must either increase their offer to meet Marseille’s valuation or negotiate a compromise structure that satisfies both clubs’ immediate financial reporting needs. With personal terms already secured, the success of the transfer now hinges entirely on whether the two clubs can align on the final fee before the month expires.