Manchester United are reportedly set to rival Liverpool and Barcelona in the summer pursuit of highly-rated Sporting CP winger Gelson Martins.
The Sun are reporting that Manchester United are set to revive their interest in Sporting CP winger Gelson Martins. The highly-rated Portuguese starlet is being heavily tailed by Liverpool, who are looking to add a potent winger to the squad. However, they will now have to battle it out with long-time rivals Manchester United and Barcelona.
Gelson Martins is one of the very highly-rated players among the next generation of Portuguese football. The player accentuated his stock after a brave performance in the UEFA Champions League group stage against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu.
Looking at the season in overall terms, the player chalked up 14 assists along with 6 goals of his own in the league alone and was a genuine threat to the opposition, with his pace and trickery on the ball. However, there have been doubts over his ability to deliver end-product on a consistent basis.
Gelson Martins’ season by numbers for Sporting CP:
73 take-ons
48 tackles won
44 chances created
9 assists
6 goalsExciting prospect. ⭐ pic.twitter.com/zgOZXSMqd3
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 7, 2017
The player was previously linked to the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United among others. However, rumours have since taken a backseat, only for Liverpool and Barcelona to be linked again in the summer, with the Reds facing continuous transfer fee hurdles in the pursuit of Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool are looking to bolster their squad and have reportedly agreed personal terms with Salah. However, AS Roma’s asking price seems to have put the Reds off, who are now looking at other players like Douglas Costa and now Gelson Martins as well.
Barcelona are also looking for a winger to add more depth to the squad. Arda Turan, as well as Rafinha, have been constantly linked with a move away from Barcelona, which makes the addition of a winger even more imperative. The 22-year-old could be the perfect addition to the squad at Nou Camp.
Not many remember that Barcelona had attempted to sign Cristiano Ronaldo before his move to Real Madrid. And perhaps, with Gelson Martins, they can finally get their hands on a raw Portuguese winger.
Manchester United, on the other hand, were also linked with a move for Douglas Costa and while the Brazilian may be seen as a fit in the present squad, Gelson could serve a better purpose, with United’s previous history of deals with Sporting CP and the end product as well – Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.
A little bit of Gelson Martins from the time he faced Real Madrid.
A lot of potential in this kid! ? pic.twitter.com/PZPWmFSRTs
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) June 7, 2017
The player has a £52 million buyout clause embedded in his contract, which may put off suitors. However, there are suggestions that Sporting CP are ready to negotiate a lower transfer fee, which may encourage United and Liverpool to pursue the player.
Gelson Martins could prefer to join Manchester United over Liverpool on the basis of the aforementioned – the development of Ronaldo and Nani. Also, United may be able to provide a financially more attractive package than Liverpool, another thing that adds to United’s advantage.
It will be interesting to see to what extent the suitors can get Sporting CP to lower their asking price for Martins. However, the club is sure to receive a windfall in the summer.
