Tottenham Hotspur have identified Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is their primary transfer target ahead of the next season.
Tottenham Hotspur want to make Manchester United attacker Anthony Martial their first signing of the summer transfer window, as per reports from the Evening Standard. The Frenchman is also a target for fellow London outfit Chelsea.
22-year old Martial is understood be growing frustrated with his current role at Manchester United, having fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in the January transfer window. The Frenchman ended the campaign with 11 goals and 9 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, but was not picked in the France for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia, which will have added to his frustration.
His situation at the club has put a number of clubs on alert with the likes of Barcelona being linked with a move for the 22-year old, while there had been some degree of interest from Arsenal as well.
Tottenham too have been monitoring the player’s situation for a while now and it seems that manager Mauricio Pochettino is extremely intent on signing Martial before the beginning of the next campaign.
The Argentine is understood to be on the lookout for a striker to operate as a backup for star man Harry Kane, but wants to bring in a player who is versatile so as to add depth to other attacking areas as well. This would also mean that the player wouldn’t be just an understudy to the England international which would make convincing him to join the club much easier.
The North Londoners are prepared to sell Fernando Llorente and Vincent Janssen in the summer with both the signings not working out for the club. And Pochettino sees Martial as the ideal fit for his plans going forward, as the Frenchman can easily slot in on the wings or play through the middle and has plenty of experience in the Premier League.
But, he and Tottenham will have to battle London rivals Chelsea to sign the France international. The Blues have emerged as a potential suitor for Martial, amid uncertainty over the future of star winger Eden Hazard. The Belgian attacker has been constantly linked with a move to Real Madrid and recently claimed that he will decide on his future at the club based on how Chelsea perform in the transfer window.
And if it so happens that Hazard does end up leaving the club, Martial would prove to be a like for like replacement, slotting in on the left side of the attack. And with Manchester United manager Mourinho interested in signing Willian from the Blues, a swap deal could be very well be on the horizon this summer.
United are understood to be reluctant to let go of the 22-year old, but with Martial seemingly growing restless over his situation at the club and the number of top clubs lining up to sign him, an uncertain transfer window beckons.