Anthony Martial is reportedly set to move away from Old Trafford, with Manchester United planning a £100 million-plus summer clear-out.
According to a report by The Sun, Jose Mourinho is planning a £100 million-plus clear-out in the summer transfer window following Manchester United’s failure to win a trophy this season. Among the players who are set to be sold, Anthony Martial is the biggest name on the manager’s hit list.
Martial has had a very bittersweet stint at Manchester United. Having arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2015 as an unknown quantity, the player defied critics to end his maiden campaign as the club’s top scorer. But, it has been all downhill since then, with the player’s progress stuttering under Jose Mourinho.
Over the last two seasons, Martial has struggled for minutes, starting just 36 league games. While he did start the 2017-18 season on a strong note, the arrival of Alexis Sanchez has pushed him down the pecking order. So much so, that the Frenchman’s Manchester United career is on the brink.
Anthony Martial for Manchester United since joining at 19 years old:
Most goals – Martial (36)
Most Assists – Martial (29)
Total – 65
Trophies – ?x4 pic.twitter.com/1xzcfmeLUR— Football Facts (@FootbalIFact) May 20, 2018
Rumours are rife that Martial is unhappy over his exclusion from the French National Squad for the World Cup, which he believes is due to his reduced role at Manchester United. And his uncertain situation has alerted several clubs, chief among which are Chelsea.
The Blues endured an indifferent campaign, failing to qualify for the Champions League but ending the season on a high by beating Manchester United to win the FA Cup. The cup triumph looks to have given Antonio Conte a fresh lease of life at Stamford Bridge, and it is believed the Chelsea boss might just end up staying despite weeks of speculation surrounding his future.
Irrespective of his future, Chelsea look set to invest heavily in the summer transfer window to get back among the top clubs in England. And, attack seems to be a priority for the West Londoners, especially with Eden Hazard’s future at the club being uncertain.
The Belgian has been heavily linked with Real Madrid, and Chelsea would need a top class replacement, making the Manchester United star a viable target. And, it only bodes well for the Blues if Hazard ends up staying as Martial would give Conte additional options with his ability to play as a striker as well as a wide man.
What also stands Chelsea in good stead is the fact that Manchester United have changed their stance on the player, and are willing to put him up for sale. Mourinho is set to revamp his squad in the summer, which would see him axe a number of first-team players, including Martial, as part of a £100 million-plus clear-out.
Should Manchester United receive a bid around £70 million, Martial might just be on his way out. Judging by Chelsea’s recent transfer business, the asking price might seem a little steep, and it remains to be seen if they are willing to splash the big bucks to land the Frenchman.
It will also be interesting to see if Manchester United will be willing to sell Martial to a direct rival, although if Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s transfer to Arsenal is anything to go by, Jose Mourinho might not have qualms selling Martial to Chelsea either, especially if he is able to recoup long-time target, Willian in return.
As far as Martial is concerned, an uncertain transfer window looms, and his position might just end up piquing the interest of more clubs, with the likes of Juventus, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Tottenham and others previously linked with him as well.
