Anthony Martial, the most expensive teenager in the history of the game, could cost his club Man United upwards of £60m after a French news outlet leaked the details of his deal.
If you wondered why Louis Van Gaal’s philosophy at Manchester United was to pass the ball sideways and backwards, I believe I have found the answer.
It’s to prevent Anthony Martial from scoring a goal.
The French star joined United from Monaco in the summer for a reported £38m. At the time it was a world record signing for a teenager breaking their own record of £27m when they signed left back Luke Shaw from Southampton a season earlier.
It remains a world record, but quite remarkably, it seems it’s going to rise even higher.
According to reports leaked through the French outlet Le Figaro Martial could eventually cost the Old Trafford club in excess of £60m courtesy of three €10m caveats inserted into his contract. It’s little wonder his Dutch boss labelled the final bill as ‘ridiculous’ when pen touched paper.
Monaco will be paid a further €10m should he ever score 25 goals in a season while contracted at United. So far, Martial has scored 8 goals, and United’s style of play mean the budget holders at United can rest easy for this one.
The second €10m caveat depends upon Martial’s appearances for his national side. Martial made his full debut in a friendly against Portugal last year. He has since racked up a further five appearances without scoring. If Martial reaches 25 caps, while under contract at United, then the Red Devils will lose €10m. With France hosting the European Championships in the summer, followed by a World Cup campaign and friendlies, if the kid can stay fit then that’s €10m that can be pencilled into Monaco’s budget forecast.
There is another €10m on the line should Martial make the shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or while under contract at United. The French forward has arguably been United’s one shining light, but it’s unusual for an English based player to be considered for this award, and it’s way above Martial’s pay grade.
The final caveat is a sell-on fee. Should united sell the youngster for a price between €60m + €100m, then Monaco will receive 50% of any figure that falls within that price range.
If all of the arrows line up on this one, and the jackpot does hit that £60m+ target, then not only will he remain the most expensive teenager in the world, but only five players in the world would have cost more.
Gareth Bale Spurs to Real Madrid – £86m
Cristiano Ronaldo Man Utd to Real Madrid – £80m
Luis Suarez Liverpool to Barcelona – £75m
Neymar Santos to Barcelona – £71.5m
James Rodriguez Monaco to Real Madrid – £63m
Martial is currently in the first year of a four year deal. He scored on his debut and won the Premier League Player of the Month during that first month.
