Exclusive: Manchester United star “expected” to leave as journalist names potential transfer destination
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is likely to leave this summer, with French football expert Jonathan Johnson explaining how he could see the former Lyon and Monaco man returning to Ligue 1.
Martial is coming towards the end of his contract at Man Utd and it remains to be seen what decision he’ll make on his future this summer, but his future surely lies away from Old Trafford, and Johnson can see him going back to France if the right opportunity presents itself.
Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest Daily Briefing column, Johnson made it clear that Martial is definitely leaving the Red Devils, and that his wages might be an issue for some clubs.
Still, Johnson could see Martial moving back to Ligue 1 for a club playing in Europe next season, and suggested he could even work his way back into the French national team set-up if he can get back to his best and show more consistency than he has during his time in the Premier League.
Martial transfer: Manchester United forward to return to Ligue 1?
“It’s been expected for a long time that Anthony Martial will leave Manchester United on a free transfer this summer. His career appears to be at a bit of a crossroads at the moment, but obviously the expectation is that, having come through the ranks at Lyon, he could come back and potentially rebuild his career with one of the European clubs in Ligue 1,” Johnson said.
“It would be interesting to see if Lyon test the water, given the amount of players formed at the club that they’ve previously managed to bring back and who’ve then enjoyed a second lease of life with the club, such as Alexandre Lacazette.
“At the same time, though, Martial did burst onto the scene with Monaco, who acquired him for quite cheap from Lyon because of their financial situation at the time. I expect Martial will have no shortage of suitors, but his personal demands based on what he’s been earning at Manchester United might put him out of reach for some clubs who might enquire, but at the same time I do think a club in Ligue 1, involved in European competition, could be a good rebound spot for him to start afresh and potentially get back to somewhere close to the level he’s been at in the past.
“He’s always been a fine talent, he just needs to find some consistency, and then who knows, perhaps it could even mean getting himself back into contention for a place in the French national side, which, at this moment in time, is extremely far away.”
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