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Mason Greenwood's football career remains in limbo amid claims the ex-Manchester United star is too toxic even for teams in the controversial Saudi Arabian league.
Saudi Pro League clubs have reportedly snubbed taking on the 21-year-old striker amid intense scrutiny over human rights issues in the country, with sources claiming football chiefs are concerned about the potential baggage he could bring with him.
The situation comes as major clubs in Italy also turned their back on the signing up the former Premier League star - as a backlash from football fans over Greenwood's future in the sport continues to rage.
Manchester United announced on Monday Greenwood and the club mutually agreed to go their separate ways. It followed a six-month internal probe into Greenwood's behaviour after he was accused of attempted rape and controlling behaviour in January 2022. The charges were dropped in February 2023.
A senior Saudi source, distancing themselves from Greenwood, told Telegraph Sport: 'Given the scrutiny already on the country and the circumstance, it would be very difficult for clubs here to jump in and rescue this player.'
Greenwood won't play for United again after both parties mutually agreed he would leave
Charges of attempted rape and assault were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February but United have spent the last six months carrying out their own investigation
United's confirmation this week that Greenwood will 'rebuild' his career elsewhere sparked immediate speculation linking him with a move to Saudi.
But in the latest blow to Greenwood's prospects, Steven Gerrard publicly claimed he does not want to sign him for Saudi Arabia Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.
The Liverpool legend took to social media on Tuesday to say that any move by his new club for Greenwood was 'fake news'.
Meanwhile, Italian side Roma have denied they are interested in signing Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, according to reports.
Mail Sport revealed on Monday that several clubs have expressed interest in signing Greenwood, including Jose Mourinho's Roma.
However, Italian outlet Il Tempo, via Roma Press, claimed Roma do not want to bring Greenwood to the club as they look to distance themselves from the 21-year-old.
In a fresh blow to the cut-loose Premier League forward, sources in Italy have claimed clubs with American owners or investors - such as AC Milan and Inter Milan - will turn also their backs on Greenwood.
It could mean the ex-Red Devils star's next potential option to restart his career could be in Turkey.
The forward has been linked with a move to several clubs including Saudi side Al-Ettifaq
But Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard (pictured) has claimed his side are not interested in signing Greenwood
Jose Mourinho's Roma have denied they are interested in signing the 21-year-old striker
United had previously received offers from clubs in the country, with a number of sides making bids towards the end of the Turkish Super Lig's extended transfer window in March.
However, no firm agreement has yet been reached, leaving Greenwood's career in limbo.
The news comes after United caved in to pressure from fans demanding the club cuts ties with Greenwood.
Among the prominent voices behind the backlash was Countdown co-host Rachel Riley, a life-long Manchester United supporter.
The TV personality had threatened to stop supporting the club if they'd allowed the 21-year-old to return to the fold.
Riley, speaking to The News Agents, said United had 'absolutely mismanaged' the Greenwood situation and raged she had 'never been more ashamed of the club.'
Manchester United fan and Countdown co-host Rachel Riley, who had threatened to stop supporting the club if Mason Greenwood was allowed back, has said chief executive Richard Arnold should be considering his position over his handling of the case
Manchester United chief executive Richard Arnold (pictured) has been at the forefront of United's internal investigation into Greenwood
Greenwood's last outing for United came in a home win over West Ham in January 2022
She accused the Man U chiefs of 'green-lighting abuse on social media' and said their support for Greenwood had 'turned an alleged abuser into a victim.'
'I think it's been absolutely mismanaged,' she added. 'I have been a Man United supporter since before I was born. My dad has been going since 1960.
'I've had my babies' Man United stuff ready when they were in the womb and I've never been more ashamed of the club. I think it's just a disgrace.
'They had another opportunity to make it right, make a good statement and they have just green-lighted the abuse that's been going on on social media to claim innocence, to turn the alleged abuser into the alleged victim, which is classic, DAVRO ['Deny, attack and reverse victim and offender'] technique.
'I am so disappointed.'
Her comments come after the outspoken star tweeted to her 684,000 followers she would cut ties with her beloved club if Man U bosses agreed to let the suspended forward back into the squad.
A group of Man United supporters protested before the club's first home game of the season, outlining their opposition to reintegrating striker Mason Greenwood into the first team
'I won't be able to support United if Greenwood remains at the club,' she tweeted. 'As an example, when it comes to VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls), less than 1 per cent of rapes reported to police lead to conviction.
'We've all seen and heard enough. Pretending this is ok would be a huge part of the problem.
'It would be devastating for my club to contribute to a culture that brushes this under the carpet and send a message to perpetrators everywhere that you can continue to act as you wish with no consequences.'
The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) also blasted the club for its handling of its protracted probe into the Premier League star - as fans this week insisted the right decision had been reached.
In a statement, MUST said 'the episode has been allowed to drag out for far too long as the club has carried out an investigative process'.
The supporters group said that 'speculation and discussion in the last couple of weeks has been profoundly unhelpful and reflected very poorly on the club' after it was reported that United were planning to reintegrate Greenwood into the squad.
United have now u-turned on that stance following a considerable backlash and MUST said the right outcome had eventually been reached. They added they would work with the club to ensure lessons are learned from this 'troubling episode'.
