Italian giants AC Milan are reportedly keen to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window with the backing of new Chinese owners’ financial clout. It’s believed that they are looking to bring at least one new face in every role to San Siro and for the winger slot, Manchester United starlet Anthony Martial is topping the list. With Gerard Deulofeu returning to Everton at the end of the campaign, the Serie A giants will certainly look thin in the attacking department.
On the other hand, according to various reports in England, Tottenham Hotspur are also in the frame to sign the 21-year-old. Mauricio Pochettino has high admiration on the attacker as his arrival would certainly add pace and creativity along the flanks. With reports also stating that the Manchester club could do a fillip by bringing Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann to Old Trafford in the summer, Martial would be further pushed down the pecking order or totally be frozen out like Memphis Depay, before he joined Lyon.
The former Monaco player has racked up seven goals and six assists out of 24 appearances for his current club so far this season but has struggled to convince Jose Mourinho to offer him additional playing time – only played 1503 minutes.
Even Martial himself would be surprised looking at this current situation. He was the Red Devils’ top scorer last campaign, despite predominantly occupying the winger role. He hogged the headlines in his first debut, scoring against rivals Liverpool and in the closing stages of the FA Cup semi-final.
In fact, in United’s recent 3-0 triumph over Saint-Etienne, the £61.5m rated star completed 100% of his take-ons, placed three shots and created one chance. Deservingly, he was showered with praises by the fans after the match.
No doubt, moving to White Hart Lane will benefit him as Pochettino’s willingness to encourage young players is widely known. Erik Lamela is one of their reliable wingers at the moment but his hip injury has seen him miss a huge chunk of the season. Also, Spurs are constantly linked with Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha but Martial seems to be an upgrade of the Ivory Coast international and three years younger.
Another inspiring attribute of Martial is his ability to play as a centre-forward. Harry Kane is currently backed by Vincent Janssen, who has struggled to hit the ground running since arriving from AZ Alkmaar in summer. In short, Martial offers another dimension to their attacking play and under the tutelage of Pochettino, he can only get better.
However, will Mourinho sanction a sale that would directly strengthen one of his league rivals?
It could all go down if Manchester United wrap up a deal for Griezmann.
