Fenerbahce are optimistic on closing a deal to sign Mason Greenwood, GIVEMESPORT understands. However, Saudi side Al-Ahli made a call to explore a hijack on Sunday and have not yet given up hope of changing the player’s mind.

Fenerbahce already have an agreement in principle with Marseille worth more than €40million and believe they have player buy-in as well. Verbal terms are in place on a contract until summer 2030. The Turkish side are now trying to formalise the deal quickly to avoid any surprises.

Yet on Sunday Al-Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle spoken directly Greenwood to understand if a move to Saudi Arabia was possible. Al-Ahli are prepared to move if given encouragement, but Fenerbahçe are currently favourites to complete the transfer.

Greenwood has enjoyed a fruitful spell with Marseille

Greenwood joined Marseille in summer 2024 for around €30million, and Manchester United retain a sell-on approaching 50% and therefore stand to make a significant profit from the 24-year-old’s next move.

Greenwood has scored 48 times in 81 appearances for Marseille across two seasons.

Manchester United could have activated a matching-rights clause but never considered doing so. It was made clear to Greenwood in summer 2024 he had no future at Old Trafford and the club’s position on re-signing the striker has not altered two years on. He had also been linked with a return to the Premier League with Tottenham, but any rumours were swiftly put to bed.

Greenwood’s personal life led to Manchester United saying goodbye

Roma, Atletico Madrid Galatasaray and Juventus were also linked with making a move for the 24-year-old.

Greenwood was arrested by Greater Manchester Police in January 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault. On February 2, 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against Greenwood due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and “new material that came to light”. Greenwood denied the charges and in the end never had to face trial.

Manchester United held their own internal investigation and spoke to players, including from the women’s team, and stakeholders and decided a Greenwood loan to Getafe in 2023/24 was best for all parties before a year later selling the player to Marseille.

Outspoken British journalist Piers Morgan has caused more backlash this week with his controversial Lionel Messi claim ahead of England’s clash with Argentina on Wednesday night. The Three Lions are through to the semi-finals of the World Cup for just the fourth time in their history after a 2-1 win over Norway this weekend.

But they will need to beat a side inside the top four of the FIFA World Rankings in a major international tournament for the first time if they are to realise their potential to end a 60-year trophy drought. In Atlanta, Georgia, this week, Thomas Tuchel’s side faces their toughest challenge yet against the reigning champions, with the winner facing either Spain or France in the final.

As has been the case on many occasions this summer, weather disruptions are expected for the match. But what may be a bigger threat for England is the weight of expectation after years of near-misses under Gareth Southgate, and Morgan’s latest comments certainly won’t help muffle the optimism that grips those at home.

Piers Morgan Makes Huge Lionel Messi-Jude Bellingham Claim

Indeed, Morgan – who has long been one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s biggest supporters, especially through the intense criticism the former Manchester United forward has faced this summer – has clearly got carried away with his hopes of England bringing football home this week. Posting to X, he wrote (see the full post below):

While Jude Bellingham has been in imperious form this summer, nobody comes close to the brilliance of Messi as he supercharges his nation’s plea for a second successive World Cup win after going three decades without. That’s reflected by the uproar Piers’ social media post caused, as one X user remarked: “I pity those who still take you seriously.”

Another user added: “Bellingham has been outstanding, but writing off Messi before kickoff has never aged well for anyone,” as a third wrote: “This guy is stuck in his own bubble.” Elsewhere, another concluded: “I would call him a clown, but at least clowns are funny. This is just pathetic!”

Nothing Should Take Away From Bellingham’s Heroism

Jude Bellingham celebrates via REUTERS/Paul Childs

Based on statistical performance, Bellingham still ranks as the fourth-best player at this year’s World Cup. That’s come going for a midfielder that was being mooted to drop to the bench in favour of the in-form Morgan Rogers before the tournament started.

No player in his position has come even remotely close to matching his tally of six goals, with his efforts often coming in England’s hours of need. While a poor season at Real Madrid shifted the spotlight away from him, the label of ‘best midfielder in the world’ has been put firmly back on him.

Messi’s eight goals and two assists in six matches still reigns superior. But that should not take away from the job Bellingham has done to get his nation dreaming of glory once again.

Damning footage has gone viral on social media of Conor McGregor just four days before his UFC 329 fight with Max Holloway, which ended in just over a minute after the former suffered a serious knee injury.

The bout opened up with a trademark flashy kick from McGregor, only this time he had a rough landing, with his knee not able to take any pressure. He struggled to stay on his feet thereafter, and the constant falling allowed Holloway to take control and rain down shots.

The fight was eventually stopped, with the main talking points centring around the injury. How serious is it? How did it happen? And most importantly, was McGregor injured prior? This new footage from before the fight suggests something may have been up.

Conor McGregor’s Behaviour Before Fight Was Odd

Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

For many, even before McGregor stepped into the Octagon, something was off. His demeanour on the cage-walk was very different, and perhaps less confident than in years gone by. There have also been questions over when he took his shoes off to get into the Octagon.

Although it was his left foot, he didn’t seem steady. Doctor Brian Sutterer also picked up on this awkward moment, saying: “This absolutely to me looks like somebody who was dealing with something on that right knee, and didn’t want to put their weight down on it to brace and catch their fall.”

However, fuel has only been added to the fire after this new footage.

Conor McGregor Days Before UFC 329

McGregor is seen walking into Newport Medical Plaza in California, just days before the fight. Kramer Orthopaedics and Dr. Warren Kramer, who is a noted athletic knee specialist, were both inside the building, which further adds to the controversy.

We may never know what really happened, as there are so many conflicting viewpoints. It could have happened in training, but the McGregor camp seems set on the story that it was a result of the kick that was almost immediately thrown.

Following the fight, plenty of people have had their say on what happened, and whether or not McGregor was injured before stepping into the Octagon.

What’s Been Said After UFC 329 About Conor McGregor’s Injury

Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

McGregor almost immediately took to social media to squash the rumours, though, saying: “I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight.”

Similarly, coach Jon Kavanagh also mirrored these words in his own post following the fight.

Furthermore, UFC president Dana White has also been quick to cast aside any idea of McGregor being injured, as he said: “Just on my accounts, the face-off that day is at 80m views, if there was a pre-existing injury, somebody would’ve noticed it.”

White also thought McGregor couldn’t have been injured as he ran up to Holloway before the face-off.

Even in the fight, if he was injured, leaping into a jumping kick is a fairly questionable way to begin proceedings.

There will certainly be more information to come over the next few days, as the mystery over the injury continues to dominate all the news following UFC 329.