Manchester United are set to sign Anthony Martial from French Ligue 1 side AS Monaco with just two days left in the summer transfer window. While it is not official, reports are everywhere that a deal has been agreed between the two clubs for France youth-international Martial to make the move to Manchester from Monaco.
BREAKING: France Football Federation say Anthony Martial given permission to leave France squad to sign contract with #MUFC #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 31, 2015
Manchester United are in need of a striker with Rooney under pressure and Javier Hernandez seemingly off to Germany as he is not in Lois van Gaal’s plans. But Martial is hardly a household name. So who exactly is he, and what are United getting?
He is a gamble, that is for sure. He is only 19 years old, and will be thrown into the deep end as it were if he signed for Manchester United, being their only recognised striker alongside Wayne Rooney and fellow youngster James Wilson. As much as Louis van Gaal wants to tell us otherwise, Marouane Fellaini does not count as a striker and neither does Adnan Januazj.
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Martial was signed by Lyon in 2009 when he was 14. He made his Lyon debut in 2012, also playing in the Europa League as well as Ligue 1. He then moved to Monaco in 2013 for a fee believed to be around 5 million. For Monaco he has played 45 times and scored 11 goals. He has recieved 12 under-21 caps for France and scored 4 goals for Les Bleuets. He was also capped at all youth levels since under-16.
Former Monaco sporting director and scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen is somewhat of an expert on the matter. He describes Martial as a hybrid attacking player who is a gamble but one that could pay off. It would certainly pay, with Karlsen unable to give a good estimate on pricing but admits his value could be anywhere between 10 to 80 million euros depending on what Monaco feel they can push for.
Some thoughts on Anthony Martial: in terms of characteristics/role he's something between a second striker & a centre forward. (1/7)
— Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) August 31, 2015
Karlsen even likened Martial to one of the Premier League’s, and the worlds, greatest ever strikers. Thierry Henry. “The King” also happened to begin his career with Monaco. Perhaps a good sign then for Martial and Manchester United.
As a vague reference he can in some way be reminiscent of a young Thierry Henry (not the spitting image, but there are similarities) (4/7)
— Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) August 31, 2015
But going back to the gamble bit. He is a gamble. Remember David Bellion? That didn’t turn out too well. He was a young, promising French striker. And Martial’s price too. Clearly Monaco feel they have a promising prospect but it would be very risky for Manchester United to stump up something like 30 million for this unknown and untested prospect. They ideally need someone reliable and proven at this stage.
On the flip side there are issues about consistency, ability to impose himself physically and possibly a certain lack of determination (5/7)
— Tor-Kristian Karlsen (@karlsentk) August 31, 2015
A lot of teams in France play with a high-defensive line, something that rarely happens in the Premier League. That is where Martial gets his goals. This again shows the risk, because he will have to convert his style of play which takes time and may not work as well. If United need him to do the business now then the risk is made even bigger.
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There is also concern over his work ethic, and he may not be physically ready for the tests of English football. But with little time left in the window and few big names available in that forward position perhaps United simply don’t have a choice. Someone else could snap Martial up instead and United don’t want another Pedro situation.
The Soccerex 2015 under-21 report puts Martial’s value at 15 million euros. That would be a decent price for United to pay, but one feels Manchester United could end up paying a lot more. If he is as good as everyone thinks he is, then maybe the extra money will be worth it. If not, Ed Woodward and Louis van Gaal will have questions to answer.