Barca Target Arrives Manchester, Set To Undergo Man United Medical, Announcement Imminent

Wow! This escalated quickly. Reports filtered in earlier today that Manchester United are on the cusp of signing Anthony Martial from Monaco, after the attacker agreed terms with the Premier League club.

The Reds Devils are searching for a new top notch forward before the close of the transfer window, and Martial seems to be the one United will finally sign – having been knocked back in the pursuits of several world class forwards including Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski [both of Bayern Munich], while Real Madrid Gareth Bale has also opted to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.

French media outlet Le Parisien even claimed Martial has agreed to join Man United after Louis van Gaal’s side submitted an offer of €50m which equates to £36.2m for the teenager’s services. It was also suggested Marcos Rojo could be part of the deal.

However, Goal is now reporting that Martial has been given permission by France boss Didier Deschamps to travel to England to finalise a move to Manchester United.

A statement from the FFF reads: “Anthony Martial was presented Monday at 11:00 at the gathering of the France team at Clairefontaine. He requested from Didier Deschamps permission to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United.

“Given the exceptional circumstances, the coach has acceded to the request of the player.

“Anthony Martial left Clairefontaine Monday at 12:00. He will return on Tuesday morning.”

Signing a striker is Louis van Gaal’s priority now that Javier Hernandez is also close to completing a move to Bayer Leverkusen.

Martial, 19, is one of the brightest young forwards in Europe and Chelsea have also been linked with him. The speedy striker recently earned a call-up to the France national team after emerging as Monaco’s top scorer last season, netting nine goals in 35 appearances for Monaco last term. He joined the Ligue 1 club from Lyon as a tyro in 2013, and has been tipped for a big future in the game. He has also represented France at all age grade levels.

The forward will become United’s sixth signing of the summer, joining Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Sergio Romero at Old Trafford.

So far this season, Martial has played four times for Monaco and has failed to register a single shot on target, let alone score a goal.