Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd forward who ‘can’t cut it’ sparks bidding war between two Euro giants, with Ten Hag ready to ‘cut loose’

Manchester United's Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Two Italian heavyweights are sizing up a Man Utd forward who one observer thinks ‘can’t cut it’ and numerous outlets have claimed has been put up for sale.

Who leaves Old Trafford this summer is shaping up to be just as intriguing as who arrives. Man Utd’s number one priority in the transfer market is signing an elite-level centre-forward. A major factor behind the Red Devils seeking a potent new striker is the fact they cannot rely on Anthony Martial.

Indeed, the Frenchman, 27, has not completed a full 90 minutes for Man Utd in the Premier League since January of 2021.

Injuries have become increasingly commonplace for Martial. Even when fit, he’s not the calibre of player Man Utd require to challenge Man City atop the Premier League.

As such, multiple outlets including the Manchester Evening News and talkSPORT have claimed Martial has been put up for sale at season’s end. His contract expires in the summer of 2024, thus making a sale in a few months’ time make even more sense.

French football expert, Jonathan Johnson, claimed a return to France with one of Ligue 1’s finest would be a smart next move. However, according to CalcioMercatoWeb, a new challenge in Italy could await.

AC Milan v Juventus for Martial?

They report Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus ‘have already thought about’ Martial and both are ‘ready to make a sacrifice’ to bring him on board.

AC are seeking attacking reinforcements this summer with Divock Origi flopping since joining from Liverpool and Zlatan Ibrahimovic potentially leaving as a free agent.

Juventus, meanwhile, have been tipped to cash in on €70m signing Dusan Vlahovic and Martial would represent a direct replacement. Ditching Vlahovic for Martial would also net Juventus a tidy profit once both deals are concluded.

CMW rather dubiously state Martial will be given the greenlight to leave in the event Ten Hag orders Man Utd to sign PSG’s wantaway forward, Neymar.

A move for the Brazilian appears highly unlikely on the surface, though what is clear is Man Utd will sign a high profile new striker nonetheless.

Wout Weghorst has not done enough to earn a permanent move following his loan stint from Burnley. Martial too is expected to depart and per the MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst, Man Utd will be better off for it.

Indeed, in a scathing report last week, Luckhurst declared Martial simply “can’t cut it” at Old Trafford and must be “cut loose” by Ten Hag.

With CMW joining the MEN and talkSPORT in claiming Martial will be axed, a move to AC Milan or Juventus could take shape.

CMW didn’t list how much a Martial transfer might set the Italian pair back. However, given his chequered injury record and the fact he’s no longer one for the future, it stands to reason Man Utd won’t receive anything close to the £58m they paid Monaco in 2015.

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