Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Manchester United star Anthony Martial but the finances involved could play spoilsport
According to the Daily Star, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in making a move for Manchester United striker Anthony Martial this summer.
The 25-year-old’s position at the Theatre of Dreams has been called into question after a disappointing 2020/21 campaign that saw him net just seven goals in all competitions. It was a far cry from his sensational 2019/20 season where he was not just United’s top scorer but also won the club’s Players’ Player of the year award.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to have run out of patience and is now ready to sanction the Frenchman’s departure. Given the opportunities Martial has had, one cannot fault the Norwegian’s stance. This could come as welcome news for Spurs, who are currently in the midst of yet another rebuild.
On the footballing side, securing the Frenchman could provide Spurs with a massive boost. Erik Lamela is on his way to Sevilla, while Lucas Moura could also be on the way out. Martial could potentially play a major role in Nuno Espirito Santo’s first season at the club.
Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min accounted for 49 of Tottenham’s 109 goals last season, a whopping 45 per cent. It is no secret that the Spurs attack revolves around the two mavericks. Adding Martial on the other flank will not just help take the heat off the duo but also add another threat for opposing defences to contend with.
United value the player at £50 million, a price that could prove prohibitive for Spurs. As if that wasn’t enough, Spurs will also struggle to match his massive £250,000-per-week salary. To put it into context, meeting it will make him Tottenham’s top earner. Martial has done little to suggest he deserves such a massive payday. Spurs chief Daniel Levy is not keen to make Martial one of the club’s top earners, throwing a wrench in any efforts to land him.
Having played as a striker, Martial is reasonably clinical and could form a fearsome trio alongside Kane and Son. The former has shown the aptitude to bring others around him into play last season, and this could see Martial thrive on the right wing for Spurs. The Frenchman has pace to burn and also possesses the intelligence to run into channels. The chance to be part of a dynamic front three that is also fluid could be the elixir he needs to rekindle his career.
Martial has also shown himself to be a player prone to motivational swings. Taking him away from the spotlight of donning the United jersey could be what it takes for him to return to his best. While it may be too much to ask of him to develop into the world-beater he promised to be, it is not too late for him to emerge as a player who poses a consistent goal threat. Worst case, Tottenham could snag themselves a readymade replacement for Kane should he choose to leave this summer.
