Arsenal are reportedly lining up a 2018 move for Manchester United’s Anthony Martial.
Anthony Martial of Manchester United celebrates scoring against Burton Albion
According to The Mirror, Arsenal are interested in signing Manchester United forward Anthony Martial – and are lining him up as a potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez.
The Gunners are all too aware that Sanchez is out of contract at the end of the season, and with the Chilean potentially leaving in a cut-price deal in January or even on a free transfer next summer, Arsene Wenger needs to have a replacement lined up.
It’s now claimed that the Gunners boss wants to snap up fellow Frenchman Anthony Martial from Manchester United, eyeing up as a replacement for Sanchez on the left of the Arsenal attack.
Martial, 21, enjoyed a stunning first season with United in the 2015-16 campaign, smashing 17 goals in all competitions following a big-money move from Monaco, though last season was much tougher under Jose Mourinho, scoring just eight times in 42 appearances.
This season, Martial has mostly been a substitute for United, but he has contributed three goals and two assists in five games from the bench, prompting interest from Arsenal as they look to make him a regular starter.
Whilst Arsenal and manager Wenger may well be keen on Martial, one team who should be looking to rival them if the forward does became available is North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have pursued Martial recently.
Not only did RMC Sport report in August that Tottenham had a move for Martial rejected, but Spurs also attempted to sign Martial from Monaco in 2015 (Sky Sports), just months before he joined United.
Tottenham have often lacked pace in the final third, and having taken punts on the likes of Clinton N’Jie and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou in recent years, the time may be right for Spurs to buy a top talent like Martial.
A huge fee could be an issue for Spurs given that United would want a return on their £58million investment, but a deal involving Tottenham left back Danny Rose going the other way could help bring that price right down, and whilst such a big deal is very unlike Daniel Levy, their long-term pursuit of Martial means that Spurs shouldn’t give Arsenal a clear run at the United forward, if they do let him leave.
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