Anthony Martial has emerged as a transfer target for Juventus, despite his promising pre-season campaign for Manchester United.
The 26-year-old striker has so-far thrived under new boss Erik ten Hag, scoring three goals in four friendlies to put a nightmare season, in which he was loaned out to Sevilla, behind him. But Martial, who was previously tipped to leave the Red Devils this summer before Cristiano Ronaldo handed in a bombshell transfer request, is still attracting interest from abroad.
As Juventus scour the market to find an alternative to top target Alvaro Morata, Sky Sports report that the resurgent United star and Chelsea 's Timo Werner have been shortlisted. Werner could be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge after two disappointing seasons with the Blues.
Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri desperately wants to re-sign Morata on a permanent basis, with the Spaniard having spent the past two years on loan in Turin.
Morata recently returned to parent club Atletico Madrid after Juventus passed up on their £29.7million option to sign him in June. The Bianconeri hope to negotiate a lower fee but are cautiously looking at number of backup options, including the in-form Martial.
The former Monaco starlet has shown promising signs under Ten Hag's tutelage, even demonstrating a willingness to press after years of lethargic displays leading the line at Old Trafford.
It'd been reported earlier in the transfer window that the Red Devils would've been willing to tear up Martial's contract in order to get him off the wage books, but now Mirror Football understands that they want to keep hold of the Frenchman.
With Ronaldo pushing to leave, United are left with Martial as their only recognised No.9 in the senior squad. Ten Hag has been encouraged by the France international's performances, though, with supporters hoping that Martial can finally show why the Red Devils forked out £36million for his signature as a 19-year-old in 2015 during Louis van Gaal 's reign.
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"I'm sure he can come back even better," the ex- Ajax gaffer affirmed during his team's pre-season tour of Australia. "I think when he has the right focus and the right motivation and he works hard he will have production because he is a good player. I say when he has the right focus and every day delivers much then he will have production and it's up to him."
Ten Hag has also been pleased with his entire forward line's application, adding: "They connect really good together. I think when you see that, you are lucky as a manager. They are a threat, the team has weapons and we need to improve that every day and develop that further."
