Manchester United needed to sell well this summer and the emergence of Saudi Arabia as a player in the market seems to have come at the right time.
After the sale of Alex Telles to Al-Nassr and interest in Eric Bailly, Saudi football center Asian Nawaf reports that a club in the country wants to sign Anthony Martial.
The tweet below read: “Exclusive and confirmed, a Saudi club wants to sign Martial.”
The identity of the club is not yet known, but if true it would be a huge relief for United.
The injured Martial played just 979 minutes in the Premier League last season, despite the club lacking a natural striker after him. He showed promising performances at times before reverting to his pointless methods as the season netted just nine goals and three assists in 29 appearances.
Erik ten Hag was keen to call him first-choice because of his encouraging play, but his repeated physical weaknesses made it clear he couldn’t be counted on.
The Frenchman even misses the crucial pre-season with an injury he suffered last season and the club are in talks with Atalanta for Rasmus Hojlund.
The arrival of a striker could spell the beginning of the end for Martial, whose contract expires in 2024.
His salary of around £250,000 a week puts huge pressure on the wage bill that his performance cannot even justify. A move to Saudi Arabia is the ideal scenario for the club as it is likely to be the only transfer where they will not have to pay part of his wages.
United would even be open to letting him leave at a cut price, that’s how exorbitant his wages are, courtesy of mismanagement under Ed Woodward’s previous regime. On the other hand, with Erik ten Hag already struggling to add one striker to his squad, Martial’s replacement could further complicate his summer.
It remains to be seen whether these reports have any substance as news coming out of Saudi Arabia is somewhat hit and miss. But if that is true, United would be wise to pounce on any interest and enter into negotiations.
