According to Tuttosport via Sport Witness, Manchester United are at risk of losing fan favourite Anthony Martial for free if Juventus successfully implement the same tactic that led Emre Can running down his deal with Liverpool before making the switch to Turin. The Serie A champions have a choice whether to try and sign him this summer or wait 12 months and get him when his contract is up at Old Trafford.
Juventus recently signed Can on a free transfer, 12 months after having a £31m bid rejected by Liverpool. They could try the same tactic with Martial to avoid paying a lofty transfer fee for his signature. The Old Lady reportedly want the French international for £50m but United are unwilling to part company with Martial for less than £70m. If the two can’t come to an agreement, Juve might play the long game.
The problem with their plan is that Martial has an option for another year at United. So unless his agent negotiates an early exit in 2019, Juve could be missing out on the talented forward. He won’t be short of interest either, having scored and created 14 goals in 18 Premier League starts last season, but an exit looks on the cards as he finds himself behind Alexis Sanchez in the pecking order.
Fine then trigger the one year extension and let Martial train on his own for the next two years. See how much Juve will want him then?