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Mason Greenwood, an exile from Manchester United, has three alternatives available to him as the football transfer deadline approaches today.
After United declared they were terminating connections, another UEFA Champions League team offered the former England striker a potential exit strategy.
Greenwood is rumored to have been courted by Lazio of Italy, as well as Besiktas of Turkey, whose supporters are reportedly in favor of the move.
A second choice is to obtain a release from Premier League powerhouses United and turn pro.
To spend more time with his family, it has even been suggested that he give up football totally.
On Monday of last week, United and Greenwood revealed his impending exit from the Old Trafford team.
In a statement that day, the athlete said: “I thank the club for their support ever since I joined at the age of seven.
“I will always have a piece of myself that is United.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support of my family and all of my loved ones, and now it is up to me to repay the confidence those people have placed in me.”
Since his arrest in January of last year on allegations of attempted rape, assault, and coercive control, Greenwood hasn’t played for United.
Although he was still suspended by his club, the Crown Prosecution Service dismissed all allegations against him in February.
On August 21, United made the announcement that he would be leaving in what they described as a “collaborative decision”.
He has been associated with Lazio, who, like United, qualified for this season’s Champions League after finishing second to Napoli in Italy, according to reports this morning.
The Scottish Premiership champions Celtic and Lazio, headed by former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, were placed in the same Champions League group yesterday.
When Paul Gascoigne arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in 1992, they previously signed an English international.
Besiktas is reportedly thinking of moving Greenwood to a loan situation.
But if no one steps in quickly, United may have to pay out his £75,000-per-week contract to release him, giving him potentially around £8 million to depart.
The deadline for Premier League clubs to make player acquisitions is tonight at 11 p.m.
Leading European footballing nations including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain all have deadlines tonight.
However, Turkish clubs have until September 15 to make signings, whilst the Saudi Arabian window closes five days later.
Former United teammate of Greenwood’s Cristiano Ronaldo, French striker Karim Benzema of Real Madrid, and Brazilian forward Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain are recent additions to the Saudi league.
Rumors of a move for Greenwood have been denied by Steven Gerrard, the former manager of Liverpool and current manager of Saudi club Al-Ettifaq.
Jordan Henderson, the midfielder and vice captain of England, was acquired by Gerrard this summer from Liverpool at a salary of £700,000.
Reuniting with Greenwood at his Serie A team AS Roma in Italy, former United boss Jose Mourinho also ruled that out.
Gary Neville, a former England and United defender, applauds United’s move to fire Greenwood.
The club’s handling of the incident was dubbed “horrible” by the former player, who is now a Sky Sports pundit.
Former England captain and Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker referred to United’s decision as “inevitable and right.”
However, women’s charities asked football clubs to handle these complaints better.
Rachel Riley, a lifelong supporter of the Red Devils, agreed and stated she would stop cheering for United if they allowed Greenwood to return.
Strictly Come Dancing and the co-host of Channel 4’s Countdown both charged the club with handling the situation “appallingly.”
Greenwood last appeared for United on January 22, 2017, as they defeated West Ham United 1-0 in the Premier League.
He was accused by the CPS in October of last year, and his trial was scheduled to begin in November.
However, the case was dropped on February 2 as a result of his purported victim and 12 additional witnesses refusing to cooperate.
Greenwood, a West Yorkshire native who was born in Bradford, scored 35 goals in 129 games for United.
In September 2020, as a late substitution against Iceland, England manager Gareth Southgate granted him his first and only cap.
When questioned yesterday about Greenwood, Southgate responded, “It’s obviously a very complex matter.
He isn’t participating, therefore we aren’t thinking about it.