Barcelona Had Greenwood on the Radar Before Fenerbahce Move Could Happen

Mason Greenwood nearly ended up at Barcelona. That’s according to Spanish outlet Sport, which says the club’s sporting director Deco had the former Manchester United forward on a shortlist of affordable attacking options this summer.

Greenwood eventually signed with Fenerbahce. But before that deal came together, Barcelona was doing its homework. Sport reports that Deco and his recruitment team considered Greenwood a versatile attacker who could play across the front line, with an exceptional left foot and a consistent ability to influence matches. Those qualities made him an attractive low-cost target for a club that’s been operating on a tighter budget lately.

The interest never turned into an actual offer though. Barcelona ultimately committed to signing Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi instead. And according to the same report, the club also shifted its focus toward developing younger talent, specifically Jesse Bisiwu. So Greenwood stayed on the list but never got past the initial stage of consideration.

How Greenwood Ended Up in Istanbul

Greenwood’s fall from grace at United is well documented. Criminal allegations ended his time at Old Trafford, and the club suspended him before sending him on loan to Getafe for the 2023-24 season. He was sold permanently to Marseille in 2024, where he scored 48 goals over two seasons and rebuilt his reputation as a dangerous forward.

That form attracted serious attention from several clubs. Fenerbahce won the race, and United’s sell-on clause from the original Marseille deal reportedly netted the club around €13 million from the transfer. Not bad for a player whose Old Trafford chapter ended so abruptly. Greenwood played his first European match in a Champions League qualifier against Górnik Zabrze, which is a pretty significant moment for someone who hadn’t played in Europe’s top competition in years.

What This Means for Barcelona and Greenwood

The Barcelona interest adds an interesting footnote to Greenwood’s post-United trajectory. It also fits a broader pattern of the Catalan club considering affordable attackers. They’ve been doing that a lot lately, trying to find value in a market where they can’t just throw money around anymore.

For Greenwood, landing at Fenerbahce with Champions League football already locked in is a solid next step. Whether Barcelona circles back will probably depend on how he performs in European competition. If he lights it up, don’t be surprised if Deco picks up the phone again.