Jose Mourinho has given the green light for Anthony Martial to head to Tottenham as part of the transfer of Toby Alderweireld to Manchester United, according to a reliable journalist.
Independent and Sunday World correspondent Kevin Palmer reported on his personal Twitter account on Sunday that Mourinho “clearly supports” the exit of Martial after a breakdown in their relationship.
The manager is said to even be willing for the France international to head to one of his side’s rivals as part-exchange for one of two key summer targets Alderweireld or Chelsea attacker Willian.
This comes after Martial was omitted from the United squad today travelling to play a pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich.
No Anthony Martial with the Man Utd squad travelling to play Bayern Munich.
Mourinho is clearly supports a swap deal with Alderweireld/Willian so the club should back their manager. Not backing him now can only have one outcome #MUFC pic.twitter.com/rBTjWRRcvm
— Kevin Palmer ? (@RealKevinPalmer) August 5, 2018
OPINION
Spurs fans have had all summer – perhaps the entire calendar year, really – to get used to the idea of Alderweireld leaving and accept that the Belgian wants to pursue his career elsewhere, particularly a club where he can command a far more lucrative contract. That does not make the defender’s exit less of a bitter pill to swallow, especially as widespread reports have stated in the last day or two that he is set to join Manchester United for £60million. It would represent a delightful twist for the Tottenham faithful if they could sign Martial in part-exchange. Spurs badly need a forward of class and zip to cover for Harry Kane and also provide another goalscoring option, particularly as Vincent Janssen and Fernando Llorente are not up to the mark. Martial may have fallen out with Mourinho, but he has showed in his three years at Old Trafford that he can dismantle defences when on song. His record of 36 goals and 26 assists from 136 United matches is highly creditable and he has the virtues of being proven in the Premier League and capable of significantly improving given that he doesn’t turn 23 until December.