West Ham target Anthony Martial could be available for free after Manchester United news emerges
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, who was linked with a move to West Ham in the summer transfer window, could be released upon the expiry of his contract, according to Samuel Luckhurst.
The Manchester Evening News journalist wrote on 12 September that if the forward’s stagnation continues, he could be allowed to leave for free at the end of his contract, unless United decide to trigger the extension clause in his contract.
West Ham were linked with Martial over the summer [The Mirror, 14 August] as they looked to improve their attacking options following the departure of Gianluca Scamacca, but ultimately couldn’t get a deal over the line.
With this latest development, the Hammers may be given the opportunity to reignite their interest in Martial, particularly if he continues to struggle for game time in Manchester following the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund who is set for a return from injury after the international break.
Should West Ham manage to complete a deal for the Frenchman who has spent nine years at Old Trafford since arriving for around £50million from Monaco, it would represent a very good value-for-money move on a player with a proven track record in the Premier League.
Martial represents a different profile to both Danny Ings and Michail Antonio up front. The Frenchman is more comfortable in possession and when dribbling with the ball than either of the Hammers’ current options.
Despite struggling with injury issues in recent seasons, and his age perhaps slightly on the wrong side of what the Hammers may be targeting as he turns 28 in December, a deal on a free transfer could certainly be worth a punt.
Even if West Ham don’t want to wait until the end of the season to bring in a forward, there is the possibility of a cut-price deal in January if United would rather bring in some funds than let him leave for free.
In other West Ham news, a journalist has given a surprise Hammers top-four verdict.