3 years ago
Barcelona are reportedly planning a January trade for Manchester United attacker Anthony Martial. Due to a mixture of injuries and bad form, the Frenchman has slid down the pecking order in recent months. In January, Martial may look to leave Old Trafford in order to revitalise his career.
According to Marca, Barcelona has contacted Manchester United about Anthony Martial's availability. In January, new Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has made the recruitment of a striker a priority.
After joining Manchester United from AS Monaco in the summer of 2015, Anthony Martial has evolved into one of Europe's most intriguing young attackers. In his first season with the club, the Frenchman had a great debut season, scoring 17 goals in 49 appearances. In succeeding years, the Frenchman established himself as a key element of Manchester United's starting lineup. With 23 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions, he finished the 2019-20 season as Manchester United's highest goal scorer.
Martial, on the other hand, had a poor season in 2020-21, scoring just seven goals in 36 appearances across all competitions. Mason Greenwood, a teenage sensation, took his place in Manchester United's starting lineup.
Martial has been unable to maintain consistency and produce the goods for the club despite being given enough opportunities to do so. The Red Devils are reportedly considering trading Martial in order to raise the funds needed to buy a defensive midfielder. Barcelona is now dealing with an injury crisis on the offensive side of the field. Due to injury, Ansu Fati and Martin Braithwaite have been ruled out of the game. Sergio Aguero, an Argentine attacker, may be forced to retire early owing to cardiac problems.
As a result, the club is anxious to sign a top-tier striker in January to boost their attacking options. Memphis Depay and Ousmane Dembele, for example, would benefit from it.
Jesse Lingard's future at Manchester United may have an impact on Anthony Martial's future at the club. Lingard is said to have turned down the chance to sign a contract extension with the club due to a lack of game time in recent months. Lingard's current contract with Manchester United expires in January, and he will most likely be sold. West Ham United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal are among the Premier League clubs interested in the 28-year-old.
If Jesse Lingard leaves Manchester United in January, the club may try to keep Anthony Martial. Lingard and Martial might be sold, leaving the club with little attacking options in the second half of the season.
As a result, Barcelona may be obliged to look for other options in the transfer market. Barcelona has emerged as a possible transfer target for Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
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