Anthony Martial is targeting a Manchester United exit this coming January with executive director of USFA Management Philippe Lamboley confirming that the 26-year-old is unhappy with his current lack of game time with the Red Devils.
“Anthony wishes to leave the club in January,” the France international’s representative told Sky Sports News. “He just needs to play. He does not want to stay in January, and I will speak to the club soon.”
Martial, who joined United from AS Monaco back in 2015, only has two Premier League starts to his name this season with five more substitute appearances as well as two UEFA Champions League outings.
The former Olympique Lyonnais man still has at least three more years left on his contract with his 2019 renewal having included an option for a further year which could prove to be an obstacle in finding the Frenchman a new club.
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Any takers?
While Martial wanting a new start is hardly surprising given the way that things have gone for him over the past season or so, it is difficult to see who might want him at this time without the man from Massy needing to take a significant pay cut.
Newly minted Newcastle United could be an option with the Magpies desperate to give new manager Eddie Howe reinforcements this winter and a need to flex their new financial muscles given that relegation appears to be a very real possibility.
With Paris Saint-Germain’s Georginio Wijnaldum also emerging as a possible target for Newcastle’s new Saudi Arabian owners, Martial could form part of an ambitious survival package which could also develop into a more ambitious team if survival is secured.
PSG themselves could also offer Martial an exit with Mauro Icardi on his way out, uncertainty over Kylian Mbappe’s future past the end of this season and a versatile attacking profile required to rotate with the likes of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria.
Should a Paris homecoming not materialize, Lyon might be interested in a reunion given that Sardar Azmoun has been a target for a while, but finances are not what they once were, and sporting director Juninho’s imminent exit means that plans could be about to change.
Serie A might also be a destination several clubs looking for attacking options, notably title challengers Napoli who recently lost Victor Osimhen to injury for a few months and need someone with prolific potential.
Barcelona might also require a new attacker with Sergio Aguero not expected to return to action due to his heart condition and Xavi realizing that there are deeper problems to tackle than first thought at Camp Nou.
Newcastle and Napoli certainly seem like two serious possibilities given their respective situations, but Martial’s main solution might well be a product of circumstance given that United and the Premier League are about to enter one of the busiest periods of the year.
It could also be that despite Martial’s intentions to leave, the Red Devils’ new interim boss Ralf Rangnick has need of him once he gets to know his players better which could create a route back into contention in Manchester.
You can catch all of Manchester United’s Champions League matches — as they await their round of 16 opponent from Monday’s draw — on Paramount+.
