Man Utd set for unexpected windfall worth millions to fund striker upgrade

Robin Bairner

• 5 Jan 2024 18:06 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United’s hopes of landing a new striker in January could be helped by Anthony Martial, who is reportedly the subject of interest from Fenerbahce.

According to Takvim, Man Utd and the Turkish giants are already in talks over a potential move for the 28-year-old centre-forward.

The Red Devils have already taken the decision that the France international can leave at the end of the season, having triggered contract extensions for the likes of Victor Lindelof, Hannibal and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who were all approaching the end of their deals.

United have a similar option in Martial’s deal, but such has been the poor form of the €60 million signing, they had been prepared to cut their losses on the player and allow him to leave as a free agent in June.

Erik ten Hag’s side, though, are now in a position to receive a financial windfall for a player who has featured only 19 times and scored two goals this season.

Fenerbahce are reportedly lining up an €8m bid.

Martial out, Werner in?

This is the type of figure that could fund a new striker for Man Utd, even on a temporary basis.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe may be reticent to commit to signing players on a long-term basis this January, but it is evident that the attack needs refreshed and a figure like Timo Werner of RB Leipzig or even Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting could be considered worth gambling upon in the circumstances.

Both have better recent records than Martial, after all.

Neither player is likely to be seen by Ratcliffe as a long-term option for the club, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen still among the options being considered by the Old Trafford side, but making such a deal in January will be virtually impossible.

As such, a stop-gap option like Werner or Choupo-Moting is a possibility – but only if deadwood in the squad like Martial can be cleared out.

Fenerbahce appear to be offering Man Utd just that opportunity, and though Martial has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €12.8m, six months before the end of his contract, the Turkish side’s offer could be seen as appealing.