According to reports from The Daily Mail yesterday evening, Manchester United paid a ‘premium’ to sign Anthony Martial because they knew of long-term interest from four other top European clubs – including Premier League champions Chelsea.
Followers of the Premier League and Ligue 1 alike were shocked when the Red Devils paid £36million to sign the Monaco prodigy on summer deadline day, making him the most expensive teenager in the history of football.
It has since emerged the Old Trafford outfit could end up paying £56million for the 19 year-old should he qualify for a series of performance-related bonuses during his time at United, including winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
But according to The Daily Mail, a United insider has insisted the club were forced to pay over the odds for Martial because of long-term interest in the forward from their biggest continental rivals.
He said; “Barcelona, Paris St Germain, Chelsea and City were all in on pre-contract for Martial next season. We paid a premium to get him now. It is similar to what we did with [Cristiano] Ronaldo – and that turned out OK.”
The source went on to denounce criticisms that Martial was a last-minute panic buy; “The player has been watched a number of times. It was only when Monaco lost in the Champions League play-off to Valencia that it became something we could do.”
Well…the value was too high for sure.
The issue of value for money is missing.
United paid just to look for status and prestige
Lets wait and see…..