Anthony Martial in line for four-way transfer battle with Barcelona now keen

Anthony Martial is said to be attracting interest from four clubs as the French striker leaves Manchester United for free this summer.

Anthony Martial‘s departure from Manchester United marks the end of a significant chapter in both the player’s career and the club’s history. After nine years with the Red Devils, Martial leaves on a free transfer coming at the expiry of his current contract.

His tenure at United saw him become a prominent figure, recognised for his technical skills, pace, and ability to score crucial goals when the team needed him. However, his journey has also been punctuated by inconsistency and periods of struggle, reflecting United‘s fluctuating fortunes over the past decade.

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Martial joined Manchester United from AS Monaco in 2015 in a deal that made headlines due to the potential total value of £58 million, which included various add-ons such as the famous Ballon D’or clause. His debut season was promising, as he quickly endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful by scoring a memorable goal against Liverpool.

Over the years, Martial accumulated 317 appearances for the club, scoring 90 goals and providing 47 assists. His ability to deliver in key moments, such as his winning goal in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton in 2016, highlighted his potential to be a game-changer on the big stage.

Despite his talents, Martial’s time at United was often marred by injuries and inconsistent form. These challenges prevented him from cementing a permanent starting position under successive managers. While his goal and assist tally is respectable, many feel that Martial never fully realised the potential he showed in his early years.

The arrival of new attacking talent over the years and tactical shifts under a host of different managers also contributed to his fluctuating role within the team, leading to periods where he was sidelined or used sparingly.

With Martial requiring no transfer fee this summer, so far, four clubs have registered interest in signing the 28-year-old this summer. According to Sky Sports, Ligue 1 sides Lyon and Marseille are eyeing the forward, with Turkish club Besiktas also in the mix. Martial used to play for Lyon after coming through their academy.

Beyond this, previous reports from April this year have also listed Barcelona as a viable destination. The La Liga club are said to be interested in Martial as a value-for-money signing due to the fact he would be free to sign, so his transfer would not eat into their transfer budget.

Martial would likely play a secondary role at Barcelona behind Robert Lewandowski, with the 35-year-old coming towards the twilight years of what has been a spectacular career.