Gasperini Targets Mason Greenwood for Roma

Gian Piero Gasperini has moved from admiration to action in his pursuit of Mason Greenwood, picking up the phone himself to convince the forward that his future lies in Rome.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Roma coach has asked the 24-year-old to “wait” while the club put the final pieces together for a move from Marseille, a direct intervention that underlines just how central Greenwood is to his plans for next season.

Gasperini’s missing piece

Gasperini spent much of the 2025-26 campaign openly frustrated with his attacking options. Roma lacked a consistent, versatile threat in the final third, and he has identified the former Manchester United forward as the man to change that.

This is not a casual courtship. The manager’s personal call is a clear signal: Greenwood is not just another name on a shortlist, but a cornerstone of a project aimed at turning Roma into genuine Serie A contenders again.

Roma have already done the heavy lifting on the player’s side. The Giallorossi are understood to have reached an agreement on personal terms, with Greenwood keen on a move to the Stadio Olimpico. The proposed deal includes a tiered salary structure starting at €4 million net per season, a figure that reflects both Roma’s belief in his impact and a pathway for growth if he delivers.

Competition fades, Roma step forward

At one stage, Fenerbahce were firmly in the conversation. That interest has cooled sharply since the club’s recent elections, removing a major rival and leaving Roma with a clearer run at the transfer.

Ownership has stepped in to match the coach’s enthusiasm. Ryan Friedkin is said to be in direct contact with Greenwood’s representatives, outlining in detail the role the Englishman would play in the capital — not just as another attacking option, but as a focal point in a side built to attack.

The price of potential

The real battle now lies between the clubs. Greenwood wants the move. Roma want the player. Marseille want to be paid.

The French side are under pressure to sell a major asset to stay on the right side of Financial Fair Play, yet they are holding firm on a valuation in the region of €55 million after Greenwood’s productive spell in Ligue 1. For them, this is not only a sporting decision but a financial necessity.

Roma are preparing to test that resolve with an opening offer of around €40 million including bonuses. They are also ready to structure the deal creatively: an initial loan with an obligation to buy is on the table, a formula that would help the Italians spread the cost. Whether Marseille can afford to accept such a delayed payment structure, given their need for immediate liquidity, is far less certain.

Old Trafford watching the numbers

The negotiations are not just of interest in Rome and Marseille. Old Trafford is watching closely.

When Manchester United sold Greenwood to Marseille, they inserted a significant sell-on clause into the agreement. Any permanent transfer this summer will send a percentage of the fee back to the Premier League club, handing United a timely boost to their own transfer budget.

Roma, aware of the layers in this deal, are even prepared to include a sell-on clause of their own — potentially above 10 per cent — to help bridge the gap in valuation and tempt Marseille into agreeing.

Greenwood ready for the next step

While the clubs haggle over millions, Greenwood’s actions suggest his mind is already made up. Reports indicate he has begun the process of vacating his home in France, a clear sign he expects his next chapter to be written across the Alps.

Now the question is simple, even if the deal is not: will Roma’s belief, Gasperini’s insistence and Greenwood’s willingness be enough to crack Marseille’s resolve and turn a bold pursuit into the marquee signing that could reshape Roma’s attack?