In August we covered claims from France, RMC specifically, that Tottenham had made another attempt to sign Anthony Martial.
Two efforts had been made before the Frenchman arrived at Manchester United, and Spurs were last summer trying to take advantage of perceived uncertainty around the player.
Tottenham were knocked back, but it seems that once again their interest didn’t end.
In February, RMC reported Martial wasn’t close to a renewal at Old Trafford. The player’s agent had met the club in December and it was expected a renewal offer was on the way, but it didn’t arrive.
RMC said Martial was left ‘astonished’ by this, and felt a ‘lack of recognition’ at the club. Alexi Sanchez’s arrival had stalled things, and Martial had even paused the purchase of a house he’d found in the Manchester area.
Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham were presented as ‘courting’ the player.
It’s significant this was all coming from RMC. The French outlet had bee first with the story Martial was moving to Manchester United and have had a string of exclusives, including on the record chats with the player’s agent.
When Martial was left angered by his No. 9 shirt being taken and given to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it was RMC who the player’s agent spoke to at length.
So if there’s a source trusted as being close to the horse’s mouth on Anthony Martial, then it’s RMC.
In a Tuesday article they’ve claimed he wants to leave Manchester United in the summer, frustrated at a lack of opportunities under Jose Mourinho, especially since the Sanchez arrival.
Offered a new five year contract, Martial has declined.
This is either one of two things, one would think. Firstly, and perhaps most likely, Martial is concerned with his situation and is genuinely considering a move. His current situation could see him miss out on the World Cup and that’s got to sting.
Secondly, it could be a play for a much bigger contract, and a promise of more games, so Manchester United can show just how much they love him.
Tottenham interest is referenced again, along with Atletico Madrid and Juventus. Martial’s agent recently rubbished claims he’d met with the Turin club, but that doesn’t mean there’s no interest.
There can be no absolute confirmation, but we’ve had a look at a raft of reports detailing Martial’s Manchester United wages, and the favourite figure seems to be £65k per week. That’s well within even Tottenham’s budget.
In fact, Tottenham could give Martial a relatively big pay rise and still not break their wage ceiling.
As for transfer fee, who knows. Maybe £65m is a reasonable figure to pin the tail on, with Manchester United fans likely saying more and Spurs fans less.
Something around that figure would be huge for Tottenham, but Martial is 22 years of age, there’s a great deal of potential for his value to go through the roof, even in comparison to such a figure.
Without trying to go into Don Balon territory, Tottenham also have a certain Toby Alderweireld, linked repeatedly with Manchester United recently, and there’s the potential the clubs could be talking about a couple of things this summer.
Atletico Madrid and Juventus are tough competition, but Tottenham have a shout here for what would be their biggest signing ever, and by some way.
