With the current situation at Manchester United, it comes as little surprise that the Red Devils are in search of a new striker.
In four games of the new English Premier League season, the 20-time Champions have scored only thrice, one coming courtesy of an opening day own-goal by Kyle Walker, which has sparked concerns among the fans.
Wayne Rooney remains the only recognized senior striker, excluding the frozen-out Javier Hernandez, and as a result, Louis Van Gaal is pursuing Monaco’s Anthony Martial.
As reported by French publication Le Parisien (per Bleacher Report), offers worth £36.4m and £40m have been tabled for the French forward. However, they were knocked back, as Monaco look to hold out for £43.7m plus Marcos Rojo in return.
Despite this, it appears only a matter of time before Martial becomes Man United’s latest summer signing, with French Football Federation announcing that the player has been released from the national squad to enter transfer talks with the English giants.
This came after another report by Les Parisien which claims the player has agreed personal terms with the Red Devils.
HUMOR: Man United fans after hearing their club is closing to signing Anthony Martial
French football federation has confirmed that 19 year old Anthony Martial is moving to Manchester United
Posted by Troll Football on Monday, August 31, 2015
Anthony Martial, a 19-year-old Lyon youth product who scored 9 goals for Monaco last season, is known as a sensation for in France, but is unknown to many across Europe, thus leading to confusion as to whether Van Gaal is taking a risky gamble, or a smart move.
Reaction on Twitter was mixed
EXCLUSIVE: How Man Utd's negotiations with Monaco for Anthony Martial went down. http://t.co/w1muEvwT6m
— FootyHumour (@FootyHumour) August 31, 2015
Please don't compare Martial With Thierry Henry. It's like me comparing my bike with the neighbours Mercedes-Benz #Arsenal #MUFC
— Steve (@goonersteve12) August 31, 2015
People slagged off the Raheem Sterling deal, but £36 million for Martial who is so unproven is ridiculous.
— Rhys Stevens (@rhysstevens10) August 31, 2015
By the way! Martial is a very good signing! Fees are going through the roof, but this is a prospect
— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) August 31, 2015
Alexis cost less than Martial
— gooner (@Goonerinho) August 31, 2015
Anthony Martial isn't a panic buy, United have been scouting him since yesterday
— Bergkamp & Bergkamp (@Orangeiceman10) August 31, 2015
Louis van Gaal dreamt of Martial during the night that he won the UCL in 1995 in Vienna. [media outlet that Manchester United briefed]
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) August 31, 2015
Louis van Gaal dreamt of Martial during the night that he won the UCL in 1995 in Vienna. [media outlet that Manchester United briefed]
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) August 31, 2015
Press will be desperate for Martial to fail. Deserves patience from fans. Pressure shouldn't be on a kid just cos of the fee IMO.
— Jack (@JackEC_mufc) August 31, 2015
Fact: No player under the age of 20 scored more goals (9) than Anthony Martial in Europe's top 5 leagues last season. #MUFC
— United Report (@ManUtdReport_) August 31, 2015