Manchester United are reportedly open to offers of just £20million for Anthony Martial - but accept even that fee may deter suitors.
Signed for an initial £36million from Monaco back in 2015, the Frenchman was expected to lead the line for United into a new era. But six years on from that signature with his career having plateaued, Old Trafford bosses are left scratching their heads on how best to recoup some of their outlay.
Erik ten Hag has insisted that every player will have a clean slate in the early months of his tenure and Martial will likely be given a chance to impress at Carrington. But that could be an opportunity of necessity as much as anything else, with the market for Martial narrow at best.
There was more of a clamour for his signature at the turn of the year, when Ralf Rangnick gave into his demands for a loan deal for the remainder of the season. Sevilla ultimately won that race and signed the 26-year-old with an option to make his move to Andalusia permanent.
But after netting just one goal in 12 appearances, the likelihood of a long-term move was never likely and thus came to pass. Martial, who still has two years remaining on his £240,000-per-week contract, is now back at United and gearing up for pre-season, which begins later this month.
And as a player no longer in international reckoning, Martial will be one of the first to report and have the opportunity to get some face-time with the man now making the decisions at The Theatre of Dreams.
But according to the Sun, before the summer festivities get underway United have said they are willing to consider a cut-price offer, just to get his exorbitant salary off the balance sheet. But even at that price, Manchester Evening News report they don't expect clubs to be "knocking down the door” to sign him.
Martial goes into the 2022/23 season well down the pecking order - finding himself behind Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga in the battle to start on the left wing.
The MEN add that he has a lot of convincing to do when he does return to training in Manchester, with concerns over his attitude, particularly after Ralf Rangnick claimed he asked to be left out of squads in the lead-up to his move to Sevilla.
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However, one thing that could yet work in his favour is the frustrating nature of Ten Hag’s first window in the United dugout. The 52-year-old had previously stated his desire for most of his business to be completed before reassembling for the summer - a target they look set to fall well short of.
Ajax forward Antony has been earmarked as a potential target, with reports that officials flew out to the Dutch capital in order to push through a deal. But Ten Hag’s side are refusing to offer any type of ‘mates’ rates’ in negotiations and are willing to play hardball for any players hoping to follow their old boss to the red side of Manchester.
