After his explosive start to life in The Premier League, Manchester United’s new star Anthony Martial is being hailed as one of the brightest young talents in the world game.
Many eyebrows were raised when the player joined Manchester United for an initial fee of £36m which could eventually rise as high as £58m.
But reports in the French media suggest that it wasn’t just Manchester United who were prepared to pay vast sums to sign the lad.
Indeed, Chelsea were reportedly prepared to pay even more to snare the talented French teenager.
The Guardian writes:
While the £36m (slowing inching its way towards £58m) paid by Manchester United for Anthony Martial was widely regarded as a ludicrously high fee to pay for an inexperienced teenager, French television station Canal+ have suggested that Chelsea offered Monaco even more for the impressive 19-year-old, but had their offer rejected because the player himself preferred to go to Manchester United.
Martial has been an instant hit in England with 4 goals in 7 games for Manchester United. He also has 4 caps for France after making his debut around the time of the transfer. He provided an assist for Olivier Giroud in the week and looks as if he will become integral to France’s plans too.
Only time will tell if Chelsea have truly lost out here.
While Martial looks destined for the very top of the game, at just 19 he has so much still to prove and his goals have dried up over the last few games for United.
But his pace, ball control and power suggest that Chelsea will rue missing out on a player who may well become one of the best players in The Premier League before too long.
Let’s see his best moments in England so far.
Chelsea fans: a big miss?
