Manchester United have finally found a taker for Anthony Martial with talks already underway at securing the unhappy striker a move away from Old Trafford.
Martial is gearing up to leave Old Trafford this month after losing his place in the first team. The forward has little chance of replacing either Cristiano Ronaldo or Edinson Cavani up front.
Rangnick recently revealed Martial’s desire to be left out for United’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the weekend. “He didn’t want to be in the squad,” Rangnick said.
“He would have been in the squad normally, but he didn’t want to. That is the reason why he was not travelling with us yesterday (Friday).”
The manager’s comments sparked a reaction from 26-year-old Martial. He wrote on Instagram: ‘I will never refuse to play a match for Man United. I have been here for seven years and I never disrespected and will never disrespect the club and the fans.’
Rangnick claims a line has been drawn under the saga, with the situation now ‘resolved’ – not that Rio Ferdinand is happy!
Martial initially emerged as a target for Sevilla, though United, ultimately, stood their ground and talked themselves out of a deal.
However, reports in Italy now claim a move to Juventus looks the likely outcome for Martial.
That’s according to Calciomercato, who claims the Serie A giants are intensifying their efforts to sign the Frenchman.
They report that talks are already well underway between Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley and officials at Juve.
Furthermore, it’s reported that Martial has given his ‘total willingness’ to ‘start again’ in Turin after a difficult season so far.
Anthony Martial demands laid out by United
United, for their part, will inform Juventus of the same terms they told Sevilla.
They want any suitor to pick up the entirity of Martial’s wages – some €7.5m a season, which is £120,000 a week.
In addition, United are demanding a €5m loan fee for the player to see them through until the end of the season.
And finally, the Red Devils are reportedly willing to offer Juventus the chance to see Martial before opting for a permanent deal. As such, his loan fee includes a ‘right to buy’ – giving Juventus first refusal – as opposed an ‘obligation to buy’.
The France striker’s deal runs until summer 2024 and the loan arrangement will likely suit all parties.
Calciomercato, however, does report that Juventus’ finances are stretched and they may need to sell before financing the deal.
One such option is the same now of Paulo Dybala or Weston McKennie, both of whom are being tracked by Tottenham.
Ferdinand wants Martial issue resolved
Ferdinand, meanwhile, is urging his former side to resolve the future of Anthony Martial as soon as possible.
“Do you know what? That situation there is a perfect example for the hierarchy of that football club,” Ferdinand said on his Youtube channel.
“If Martial isn’t telling the truth there – and I’m not casting any dispersions – if he did refuse then someone at that football club needs to come out and absolutely put this to bed.
“They need to give pure clarity, put a line in the sand. I want to see a flag put down and say, ‘this is us and this is where we’re at’.
“At the moment, Rangnick has come out with what he said and Martial responded. He’s basically said the manager is lying.
“Someone better come out today or tomorrow and say something. You can’t have a player coming out and belittling what you say. No chance.
“He needs to get shut down if it’s true. If Rangnick is right, there’s no way any player should be allowed to speak like that.”