12 August 2023 , 23:00
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West Ham are interested in a deal to sign Manchester United striker Anthony Martial this summer.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has been keen to move on striker Martial this summer – the Frenchman has undergone another frustrating season without sustained form or fitness. The striker is a favourite of United co-chairman Joel Glazer but the boss is set to win the argument on cashing-in on the striker.
The club’s Glazer family owners previously blocked Jose Mourinho’s attempts to sell the forward, when the former boss tried to allow Martial to leave in a move to tempt then-Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic to Old Trafford. However, the club will listen to offers this summer.
The former Monaco forward could be part of a ruthless squad clearout by Ten Hag. Already gone are David de Gea, Alex Telles, Fred, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Elanga, while the Hammers have already agreed a £30million fee to land Harry Maguire and have had a similar bid for Scott McTominay knocked back.
McTominay may yet leave United, who are reluctant to lose the Scotland international but would sanction a deal if they can sign Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, while Eric Bailly, Dean Henderson, Donny van de Beek and Brandon Williams may all yet exit Old Trafford.
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Martial’s continued fitness issues limited him to just 11 starts in 38 Premier League matches last season – illustrating his lack of reliability when it comes to availability. While the fitness concerns are beyond the Frenchman’s control, Ten Hag is believed to have lost patience in him.
Have Your Say! Should Man United cash-in on Martial this summer? Tell us what you think here.
Martial may leave Man United this summerWest Ham are seeking a new starting striker after selling Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta with a report in talkSPORT outlining their interest in Martial. Talks are at an early stage and are far from advanced, but both parties would be open to a move at the right price.
United have signed Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta but selling Martial would leave the Denmark international as their only recognised senior No.9 in the squad. Any fee offered for the striker would have to be sufficient to allow Ten Hag to add another forward option to his ranks.
Last summer, United did not replace Edinson Cavani while Cristiano Ronaldo ’s November exit saw Wout Weghorst signed on a loan arrangement. Yet Hojlund and Martial are now the only central striking options in United’s squad, although Marcus Rashford – who prefers cutting in from the left flank – is another option for Ten Hag in that role.