Manchester United transfer news: Real Madrid in Anthony Martial exchange deal and Jesse Lingard in contract stand-off
A look at the biggest transfer news around Old Trafford on Sunday, December 4
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United could be set for a lot of movement both in and out of the club over the next two transfer windows, as Real Madrid look to take advantage of Anthony Martial’s situation in England.
Martial had an explosive start to life at Old Trafford in his maiden season, but has since let struggles in his personal life affect his form on the pitch, leading to Jose Mourinho dropping the Frenchman from his matchday squad.
He returned to score twice in United’s 4-1 League Cup win over West Ham in midweek but his off the field problems have been enough to persuade Real Madrid they could prize the striker away from the Premier League, according to the Sun on Sunday.
They report Los Blancos are willing to part with £60m – £2m more than the £58m United would have to pay Monaco should Martial fulfil all the extra clauses in his contract – as well as playmaker James Rodriguez.
United have been persistently linked with Rodriguez since he fell out of favour when Zinedine Zidane took over at the start of 2016.
Two other players who could also be leaving the club are Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay, who are the subject of a tentative enquiry from Everton, report the Express.
Ronald Koeman has publically admitted he would like to sign fellow countryman Depay in January, whether it be on loan or on a permanent deal, while Rooney has been linked with finishing his career at his former club for some time.
United are reluctant to let Rooney leave midseason, and they player would be loath to leave the club without surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton’s goalscoring record, which he is only one shy of now.
The Sun on Sunday even suggest the deal for Depay will include an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season for a fee of £21m, meaning United will recoup most of what they paid for the Dutchman.
Another winger potentially on his way out of the 13-time Premier League champions is 31-year-old Ashley Young.
Like Rooney, he could also be heading back to his former club with Watford leading the chase from West Brom and Swansea, say ESPN.
Again, Everton are also keeping tabs on the situation with Young’s versatility making him an attractive proposition for many mid-table Premier League clubs.
While Mourinho is keen to trim the fat from his squad, he is also keen on keeping young talent and is deep in negotiations with Jesse Lingard.
According to the Mirror, Lingard is being offered a double-your-wages deal which would see him earn £60,000-a-week, but his representatives are holding out for more and are well aware the average wage of the United squad is well above what is on the table.
However, both parties are aware there is no rush and no danger of Lingard walking out of the club after he scored the winner in the FA Cup final last season.
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