Manchester United news: Anthony Martial ready to stay in the Premier League amid Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea transfer interest
The club are believed to be willing to let the 22-year-old go, but would prefer if he went abroad
Anthony Martial is prepared to go against the wishes of Jose Mourinho, the Manchester United manager, and remain in the Premier League.
Having been linked with both Chelsea and Tottenham, this will be music to the ears of United’s rivals.
It is understood United are willing to sell the wantaway forward, who has a year left on his current contract, but would prefer to see him move abroad.
The 22-year-old has been linked with moves to Juventus and Bayern Munich.
He started just 18 league games last season and failed to make France’s final 23-man squad for their victorious World Cup campaign.
However, SunSport report that Martial will defy his bosses because he wants to remain in the Premier League.
When Martial joined the club for £36m in 2015, the 19-year-old became British football’s most expensive teenager and initially flourished under manager Louis van Gaal. However, the forward has fallen out of favour under Mourinho, who is said to have doubts about his ability to focus and perform consistently.
United could trigger a 12-month option on the contract he penned when he arrived from Monaco in 2015 for £36million, possibly rising to £57.6m, in order to increase his value in the market.
Spurs are looking to increase their firepower up front and may offload Vincent Janssen and Fernando Llorente.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are reportedly working on replacing Eden Hazard with Martial if the Belgian joins Real Madrid.
In June, Martial’s agent, Philippe Lamboley was quoted as saying: "After thinking about all the possibilities, Anthony wants to leave Manchester United.
“When Manchester United, which is the most powerful club in the world, does not find an agreement in eight months of negotiations, it is that it does not really want to make it (Martial) an important player."
Lamboley added: "It is a well-considered decision. He is under contract, United will have the last word and we will respect the decision of the club, it will go to the end of its commitment.
"We do not have the same vision on Anthony's future. Without the unconditional support of the fans, Anthony would have already asked to leave United.”