Barcelona plans to sign Mason Greenwood: Man Utd faces the risk of losing tens of millions of pounds.

Barcelona are planning a calculated move to bring Mason Greenwood to Camp Nou. This move is not only aimed at bolstering Hansi Flick's attacking options but is also seen as a major blow to INEOS's financial plans at Manchester United.

Barcelona's plan to 'circumvent the rules'

According to reports from Spain, Barcelona have identified Greenwood as their top target to succeed Robert Lewandowski. However, instead of paying a huge cash transfer fee, the Catalan club is plotting a player exchange deal. Specifically, Ferran Torres is reportedly the name being offered in negotiations to minimize the cash cost.

This tactic directly impacts Manchester United's interests. When selling Greenwood to Marseille in the summer of 2024 for £26.7 million, the Red Devils included a clause entitling them to 50% of the profits from any future transfer. If Barcelona succeeds in a player-for-player swap, the cash value of the deal will be significantly reduced, meaning the amount of money flowing into Man Utd's pockets will be drastically cut.

Mason Greenwood's breakout performance in Ligue 1

Since leaving Old Trafford to join Marseille, the 24-year-old striker has proven his top-class status in the French league. Statistics show that Greenwood has scored 37 goals and provided 10 assists in 56 appearances. In the 2025/26 season alone, he is leading the Ligue 1 top scorer list with 11 goals.

This devastating form has made Greenwood the only player not on PSG's books to be included in L'Equipe's 2025 Team of the Year. Coach Roberto de Zerbi even stated that his pupil has the potential to compete for the Ballon d'Or in the near future. This resurgence has caused his value to skyrocket, attracting the attention of giants like NEOM SC of Saudi Arabia with a rumored offer of up to 100 million euros – a figure that Man Utd has been hoping to receive in return for a share of around 30 million pounds.

'Double punch' delivered to INEOS corporation

Manchester United's concerns extend beyond Greenwood's financial situation. Barcelona currently has Marcus Rashford on loan but has no intention of buying him outright due to budget constraints. The fact that the Camp Nou club is both refusing to pay for Rashford and attempting to acquire Greenwood through a player exchange is creating a worst-case scenario for INEOS.

If Manchester United cannot maximize their return on Greenwood, they will struggle to reinvest in the squad during the upcoming summer transfer window. The return of Rashford, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding funds from Marseille, presents a difficult challenge for Sir Jim Ratcliffe's management in balancing the budget and complying with Financial Fair Play regulations.