Manchester United are reportedly weighing up paying Anthony Martial £12.5million to never play for them again.
The 26-year-old has spent the second half of the season on loan at Sevilla, where a combination of poor form and injuries have restricted him to just one goal in 11 games.
With the summer transfer window on the horizon, Old Trafford chiefs are now considering whether to pay out the remaining two years on Martial's contract in order to make him a free agent, as the Spanish side are yet to rule out a permanent move.
The Frenchman's £240,000-a-week wages are out of Sevilla's reach, but the Sun claim that a compromise could be found if the LaLiga outfit are able to secure his arrival on a free transfer. Martial has had 60 per cent of his salary covered by the Red Devils since joining Julen Lopetegui 's team in January and would earn £25million by remaining at United until 2024.
However, bigwigs in Manchester are hoping to offer the former Monaco starlet a seamless exit with half that amount, having paid an initial £36million for his services as a teenager in 2015. Given his unsuccessful spell in Andalusia, new Red Devils manger Erik ten Hag is unlikely to view Martial as part of his future plans.
Meanwhile, Sevilla sporting director Monchi has kept the door open for the forward to make his stay permanent. "His transfer was cheaper than you think, but it's still a big bet, just six or seven million," he told Radio Sevilla. "Unfortunately, it is difficult to analyse Martial's performance when he was injured and now he is injured again.
"I'm not closing the door on his continuity although there's a lot to see and discuss with the player at the end of the season." Boss Lopetegui has also issued his verdict on his loanee's struggles, telling AS : "This is elite football and people are free and can express themselves as they feel. I have to help him to achieve his best version. He has to do his part and adapt to what we ask of him."
Join the debate! Are Man Utd making a mistake letting Martial go? Let us know your thoughts below.
Martial himself has admitted that life has been complicated of late and opened up to ABC Sevilla. "I see it very complicated to be able to continue at Sevilla," the 30-capped France international was quoted as saying by Sport Witness. "I'm not worried about that right now.
"I came knowing that it would be six months and then I would surely have to return to Manchester United. I'm very happy with the experience of playing in a new club, as big as Sevilla and having minutes again. If we manage to be a top four team, we will have achieved the goal and I will be happy for the fans, who have been very good to me since I arrived."
