Marseille coach Roberto de Zerbi said Mason Greenwood was the first player he had asked to sign.
Greenwood joined Marseille from Manchester United after winning player of the year during his loan spell at Getafe. The striker rebuilt his career in Spain after assault charges against him were dropped in January.
“Greenwood was the first player I approached. I spoke to his father, who is the same age as me. I explained the club’s requirements to him and said, ‘Marseille is Marseille’. He replied: ‘I remember the historic Marseille that played in the European Cup final“, said De Zerbi in an interview with L’Équipe.
“I told him that when a player becomes mine, I’m the first to put pressure on him if he makes a mistake. But from the outside, I will always defend him like my own son“, he concluded.