Anthony Martial has been reportedly given the green light to leave in January by Manchester United.
The France international, 25, struggled to make an impact last season due to a combination of injury problems and poor form, scoring a paltry seven goals in 36 games. He was linked with a summer exit from Old Trafford but the Red Devils decided not to part ways with the 25-year-old, thus, handing him another chance to get back his lost mojo.
However, according to Eurosport, Manchester United are willing to let Anthony Martial leave in the New Year if a fair offer arrives. The report, however, adds that the Reds’ asking price of £40million, as well as, the 25-year-old forward’s £250,000-a-week wages may prove to be a stumbling block in the quest of finding a new club.
Martial has fallen down the attacking pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season after the high-profile arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo. Chances have been hard to come by for the Frenchman, who has managed just four brief substitute Premier League appearances so far.
With the Reds having informed Martial’s representatives that he can leave, here are three possible destinations for the forward.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur, after a bright start to the new season, have suffered back-to-back heavy defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea respectively. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are currently low on confidence and are royally struggling to score goals.
The biggest concern is the star marksman Harry Kane’s form and future, with the England international yet to open his account in the league this term. Kane, 28, was heavily linked with a transfer to Manchester City all summer and while a move didn’t materialise, he remains open to leaving Spurs having made clear of his desire to win trophies.
In that case, Tottenham could also look at Anthony Martial as a possible option to replace Kane further down the line. Martial, who is open to staying in the Premier League, can perhaps thrive at Spurs where the expectations and pressure are lower than that at United. Playing regularly at a new club could also see him get back the spark that once made him one of Europe’s hottest young talents.
Arsenal
Arsenal have two good strikers in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Beyond them, Mikel Arteta has academy products in Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun.
However, with Lacazette having already entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium and Aubameyang not getting any younger, Arteta must prioritise signing a new striker during the January transfer window.
Thus, it would make sense for the Gunners to look at the possibility of signing Anthony Martial. At 25, Martial is yet to hit his peak and could offer Mikel Arteta a different dimension with his dribbling skills and hold-up play, given that Nketiah and Balogun are inexperienced.
If Arsenal are to get back into the top four, they’ll need to spend again when the transfer window re-opens. And at around £40million, signing a Premier League proven forward in Martial could see Arteta solve one of the biggest deficiencies in his squad.
Juventus
Juventus endured a miserable start to the new season post the sudden departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in the closing stages of the summer transfer window.
While Allegri got his first win of the season, thus climbing out of the relegation zone and higher up the table at 12th place, he knows that the current squad is not good enough to challenge for the title.
While defensive reinforcements should be a top priority in January, the Turin giants should also try to bring in a new striker to compete with Alvaro Morata and Moise Kean.
Anthony Martial, struggling to get regular game time at United, has the qualities to make an immediate impact at Juventus and can also operate down the left flank if required. He would offer something different to the current forwards at Allegri’s disposal, whilst improving the squad depth.
Thus, it would make sense for the Bianconeri to sign the Frenchman in January and give him a platform to revive his stuttering career.
