Joey Barton has backed Mason Greenwood’s transfer to Marseille after followers reacted angrily to his title being linked – and insists England may win Euro 2024 with the striker.
Marseille have agreed in precept to signal Greenwood from Manchester United for £27million plus an extra £3.2million.
The 22-year-old ahead was charged with tried rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour in October 2022, however the fees and case had been dropped after key witnesses withdrew in February 2023. Greenwood has denied any wrongdoing.
Indignant Marseille followers launched the #GreenwoodNotWelcome marketing campaign after the preliminary string of appearances however Barton, who performed for the Ligue 1 facet in 2012-13, is adamant he 'deserves an opportunity'.
'This can be a implausible signing. This child deserves an opportunity to additional his profession,' Barton wrote X,
Joey Barton has claimed England may win Euro 2024 if Mason Greenwood was within the squad – and he backed his imminent transfer to Marseille
Marseille have agreed in precept to signal Greenwood from Manchester United
Greenwood spent the 2023-24 season on mortgage at LaLiga membership Getafe and scored 10 objectives
'All of us make errors. No one is ideal. England would have received the Euro Cup if this child was there.
'He’s nearly as good a participant as anybody within the Euro squad. His behaviour and public criticism have badly affected his efficiency, but he went to a median staff in Spain and bought again into type!'
The Three Lions misplaced the Euro 2024 ultimate to Spion on Sunday and supervisor Gareth Southgate has resigned after eight years in cost.
Greenwood nonetheless wants to finish a medical and signal all the mandatory paperwork to maneuver to Marseille. He was on mortgage at La Liga membership Getafe final season, the place he scored 10 objectives.
Marseille mayor Benoit Payan has opposed the transfer and stated he would ask membership president Pablo Longoria to cancel the deal.
Greenwood returned to Carrington on Monday and spoke to United chiefs. He has not performed for the Pink Devils since January 2022, when the allegations surfaced.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the costs in opposition to him after key witnesses recanted, however the membership continued its inner investigation into quite a few damning images and audio recordings. In August 2023 it was introduced that he would go away the membership by mutual consent.
Barton added: 'I hope Mason and his household discover peace and prosperity within the south of France. They are going to be allowed to get on with their younger lives. And hopefully he may have the chance to make amends for his errors.
Barton, 41, spent a season on mortgage at Marseille from QPR in the course of the 2012-13 marketing campaign
Nonetheless, Marseille followers began a #GreenwoodNotWelcome marketing campaign on social media
Tried rape and assault fees in opposition to Greenwood had been dropped final 12 months
Followers took to social media to induce the French membership to not 'betray their values' by signing Greenwood
'I do know Marseille followers love their membership. This boy could be nearly as good a participant as any English participant who has worn your jersey earlier than. Together with your unwavering assist he’ll take Ligue 1 by storm. This child is nice. Imagine me. In the event you assist him, OM will win once more.
'Roberto De Zerbi is an excellent coach. It's a giant problem to beat Greenwood.'
Barton, 41, turned a controversial determine on-line a number of months in the past after making quite a few offensive feedback in opposition to ladies working in soccer.
He in contrast pundits Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West, stated it was 'harmful' for girls to work in males's golf equipment as a result of they 'have completely illicit affairs and spoil individuals's marriages', and argued that Alex Scott 'shouldn't commentate on males's sport'.
Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe left the door open for Greenwood to return after taking a 25 % stake within the membership final December.
“This can be a new determination,” he stated, though the membership had beforehand dominated out a return.
'I can speak concerning the precept. I’m not going to speak about Mason. I’m conversant in it. The precept is an important. We may have different points afterward.
Greenwood may hyperlink up with former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi who’s now at Marseille
Greenwood has not performed for Manchester United since 2022 when the allegations surfaced
'You're coping with younger individuals who haven't at all times been introduced up in the perfect of circumstances, who’ve some huge cash and don't at all times get the steering they need to.
'When points like this come up what we have to do is perceive the true implications, not the hype, then we have to make truthful selections within the gentle of the membership's values. That's what we have to do and that's how we’ll cope with it.'
