Chelsea and Bayern Munich are reportedly showing an interest in Anthony Martial, who faces an uncertain future at Manchester United
According to a report by The Times, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are working on separate deals to sign Anthony Martial in this summer’s transfer window. The Frenchman faces an uncertain future at Manchester United after his agent announced that he wants to depart from Old Trafford.
Stability is a term that has seemed like a distant dream for Anthony Martial under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho over the last two seasons. Ever since the arrival of the Portuguese manager at Manchester United in 2016, the Frenchman has failed to command a place as a regular starter in the first-team setup.
Things seem to have come to a head upon the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, which has pushed him down the pecking order, relegating him to a bit-part role. With regular game time hard to come by, the player’s agent announced that Martial wants to quit Manchester United this summer. His uncertain future has piqued the interest of several prominent clubs in Europe, including Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Chelsea currently find themselves in a precarious situation, with the future of Eden Hazard and Willian up in the air. While Maurizio Sarri is adamant that he does not want to sell his unsettled players, the Blues do need to keep their options open. Martial is thus, being considered as a viable long-term replacement for Hazard, with the Frenchman’s best years well ahead of him.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, could be looking at Martial as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who has coincidentally been linked with Manchester United as well. The player could also be an option on the left flank, with Franck Ribery approaching the end of his glittering career.
Bayern Munich have remained coy over their interest in Martial thus far. But, with the player seemingly eager to end his Manchester United stint, both Die Roten and Chelsea have an upper hand in their bid to sign him.
The report does suggest that both clubs are plotting their own bids to secure his services. But, Manchester United are looking to price Bayern Munich and Chelsea out of a possible move for Martial by slapping a €100 million price tag on their young star.
Mourinho is hoping to retain the services of the 22-year-old, with reports of the manager being set to give him a bigger role in the upcoming season. With the Manchester United boss also confirming that he will start the first match of the season, Martial does seem to be in his manager’s plans for the campaign.
But, Chelsea and Bayern Munich will be hoping to use his unsettled situation to their advantage. The Bavarians hold the edge for now as Manchester United will likely block any move to direct rivals, while hoping to tie him down to a new deal.
