Real Madrid are reportedly plotting an £80 million bid to test Manchester United and their resolve surrounding the transfer status of Anthony Martial.
According to The Mirror, Anthony Martial is on the radar of Real Madrid, who are looking to launch an audacious move to bring him to Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos are plotting a mammoth £80 million summer bid for Anthony Martial, who has been in fine form for Manchester United this season.
Anthony Martial has had his ups and downs at Manchester United. Arriving in a big-money deadline day move in the summer of 2015, his first season was spectacular. However, Jose Mourinho’s arrival was followed by a sub-optimal second season, with doubts over his passion and desire.
The 2017-18 season has been off to a very good start though, with Martial being a continuous presence in the squad and featuring in almost every game, whether as a starter or as a substitute. His statistics have seen a major improvement as well, with the Frenchman recording 7 goals and 6 assists in 19 appearances thus far.
There has never really been a dearth of suitors for Martial, even during his dip in form. And with him firing on all cylinders now, Real Madrid have taken note of his return to form. The Spanish giants have been eyeing a replacement for Gareth Bale for a while now.
Real Madrid are plotting an £80m bid for Manchester United star Anthony Martial, with Zinedine Zidane keen on his fellow countryman. (Source: Sunday Mirror) pic.twitter.com/uoCA1ZnL75
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 26, 2017
The former Tottenham superstar has seen his Real Madrid career hampered with a host of injuries, which has frustrated Florentino Perez and the club president has finally decided to offload the ‘liability’. The search for a replacement has long ensued, with Real eyeing prospects like Goncalo Guedes, Eden Hazard and others.
Hazard seems to be their priority and while the Belgian has refused to rule out a move to Real Madrid, he does seem content with his football at Chelsea and is unlikely to push for a move. In his stead, Real Madrid are looking at Anthony Martial, whose status could again be in peril if Mourinho does decide to add another winger to his squad come January.
Martial is contracted till 2019 with an option at the behest of United to extend it by another year and has not given indications of wanting to move elsewhere, especially now that he is back among the first few names on the team sheet.
It is reported that Zinedine Zidane is an admirer of Martial and believes his compatriot could become one of the pillars to guide Real Madrid into a new era of success and domination. United on the other hand, are unlikely to let go of Martial so easy.
Martial is also a popular figure among the United fans and the club is unlikely to risk fans fury by letting one of their prized possessions go easily. We cannot speculate what may transpire in the summer. But, it is safe to say that a move is the last thing to be on Martial’s mind, especially with the player now seemingly in the good books of his manager.
