Anthony Martial ‘is concerned he will be priced out of a £40m move away from Manchester United in January despite being told he can leave’… with cash-strapped Barcelona and Atletico Madrid monitoring the forward
- Manchester United are reportedly willing to let Anthony Martial leave the club
- Striker Martial has struggled to make an impact this year and is valued at £40m
- Eurosport claim that Martial is concerned this price tag may see him fail to move
- Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have been keeping an eye on the ace’s situation
Manchester United striker Anthony Martial is concerned he will be priced out of a move away in January despite being told he can leave, according to reports.
Martial struggled to make an impact last season after falling out of form, scoring just seven goals in 36 games, and has largely featured off the bench this term.
As such, Eurosport claim that he has been given the green light to search for a new club, but United’s asking price of £40million may prove to be a stumbling block.
Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has reportedly been told he is able to leave the club
The same report adds that Martial is interested in staying in the Premier League, but it is currently more likely that teams across Europe will swoop in for him instead.
He has not been able to impress boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and, after the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Edinson Cavani, finds himself on the fringes.
Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are said to have monitored Martial’s uncertain situation, although the latter have secured a return for Antoine Griezmann.
Martial (left) has largely been used off the bench this season and is valued at £40million
As for Barcelona, the crisis-hit club may take another look at the forward next year, although they remain gripped by financial chaos, affecting their transfer plans.
No concrete approaches were tabled for Martial in the summer, forcing him to fight for his spot at Old Trafford.
The three years left on his contract have also strengthened United’s position, and they are set to hold out for a lucrative offer before parting with him.
Also on a £250,000-a-week wage at United, it appears almost certain that Martial will have to take a drastic wage cut in order to bring an end to his time in England.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been left unimpressed with Martial, and the striker is on the fringes
Martial (left) is also concerned that United’s valuation may price him out of a new adventure
For now, he is determined to battle away at United, but is not willing to stay on the outskirts of the first team if he does not get more minutes this campaign.
So far, Martial has made five appearances, with four of those coming in brief cameos from the bench. He has also failed to find the back of the net so far.
At the start of the season, Solskjaer insisted that he had no plans to sell Martial, and tipped him to prove his critics wrong once again.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if other teams targeted Anthony because he is a very good player,’ Solskjaer said ahead of United’s opener against Leeds.
After just five appearances this term, Martial may find himself on the move in the next window
‘I have no plans whatsoever for him to play against us. Anthony has come back strong and hungry, with the determination to prove his fitness and his quality.
‘Last season was a difficult and disappointing one for him and you can see that little bit of grit between his teeth again.
‘He is up for the challenge, he is Man United player and we are happy to have him. He has proven doubters wrong so many times.’
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