Manchester United are considering sending Mason Greenwood out on loan for the whole of next season.
Man Utd’s internal investigation into Greenwood, who saw charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault discontinued in February, remains ongoing.
However, officials are looking into a move that would see the 21-year-old head abroad for up to a year. Italy, Spain and Turkey are thought to be the three likeliest options.
United are understood to have stepped up their probe into Greenwood – who has two years remaining on his £75,000-a-week contract – following the conclusion of their campaign on Saturday.
They could decide to release the player should they find he brought the club into disrepute, or they could complete the review and send him overseas to allow themselves a further period of reflection.
Such a prospect would also allow them to gauge public reaction along with Greenwood’s mental health and performance levels. They could also send him to Europe where he would secure playing time while the investigation continues.
Greenwood, who has an England cap, was suspended by United when the allegations were first made in January of last year and remains out of the picture.
The likelihood of the Bradford-born academy product heading to another Premier League club is remote.
And while United have had offers from Turkey, Greenwood may prefer to play at a higher level. As such, a move to Italy or Spain could be on the cards.
However, the optics of bringing Greenwood onboard may pose a problem for some ownership groups. Those with knowledge of the situation say a move to an American-owned club, such as AC Milan, might prove difficult.
There would also have to be an agreement over salary. Greenwood has been on full pay throughout the process.
The situation is a complex one. United are wary of the views of the dressing rooms of both their men’s and women’s teams. It is also further complicated by the ongoing takeover process at Old Trafford.
United have effectively been for sale since November and while the process has dragged on, a conclusion – with Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British petrochemicals billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe both in the hunt – is likely over the coming days.
Greenwood has been spoken to by United as part of their investigation. Police opened their probe after audio was released on social media last January. A video – which appeared to show a woman with multiple injuries and a blooded face – was also posted.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February, citing the withdrawal of key witnesses and ‘new material’ which ‘meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction’.
In a recent interview manager Erik ten Hag said Greenwood, who has scored 36 goals in 130 games for United, had ‘showed in the past he is capable of doing that’ when asked if he needed another striker to take the weight off Marcus Rashford’s shoulders.
The Dutchman added: ‘What we need besides Marcus Rashford is one extra player with scoring abilities whether it’s coming out of our own squad or we have to sign one.’
United declined to comment.