De Zerbi took over as Tottenham manager earlier this year and previously worked with Mason Greenwood at Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1. Greenwood’s form improved under De Zerbi after leaving Manchester United permanently, becoming one of the league’s most productive forwards. Reports claim De Zerbi wants to bring Greenwood back to the Premier League to lead a new Spurs attack. The potential transfer could increase friction with sections of Tottenham supporters who criticized De Zerbi’s appointment over controversial comments made in France. De Zerbi had defended Greenwood as a “good guy” who “paid a heavy price,” then apologized publicly and clarified he never intended to downplay violence against women. Greenwood’s 2024 departure from Old Trafford followed legal scrutiny after his 2022 arrest, with charges later dropped by the CPS.
"De Zerbi took over the managerial reins at Tottenham earlier this year and previously worked with Greenwood during their time together in Ligue 1 with Olympique de Marseille. Under De Zerbi's tutelage in France, Greenwood found a rich vein of form following his permanent departure from Manchester United, establishing himself as one of the most productive forwards in the league. Now, the Italian tactician is reportedly keen on bringing the 24-year-old back to the Premier League to spearhead his new-look Spurs attack, according to transfers journalist Nico Schira."
"Any potential move for the forward is bound to ignite further friction between De Zerbi and sections of the Tottenham fanbase. Following his appointment at the club, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust and affiliated groups such as Women of the Lane publicly criticised the hiring, pointing to controversial comments the manager made during his time in France. De Zerbi had previously defended Greenwood publicly, calling him a 'good guy' who had 'paid a heavy price.'"
"The fan groups labeled those remarks 'ill-judged' and 'deeply offensive,' leading De Zerbi to issue a public clarification during his first club interview, where he apologised for causing offence and insisted he never intended to downplay the issue of violence against women. Greenwood's permanent exit from Old Trafford in 2024 brought an end to a lengthy period of scrutiny following his arrest in January 2022. He was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, however, in February 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that all criminal charges against Greenwood had been dropped."
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