Anthony Martial could be staying at Manchester United this season after all.
The wantaway forward is now back at training after leaving the club's pre-season tour in the US, which landed him in boss Jose Mourinho's bad books, and has been included in the squad for Sunday's final pre-season friendly away to Bayern Munich.
With the summer transfer window closing on Thursday evening, United don't want to sell the Frenchman unless they can bring in a direct replacement — and moves to sign long-term targets Willian and Inter Milan's Croatia World Cup 2018 hero Ivan Perisic have stalled.
It's understood a swap deal with Chelsea for Willian was mooted.
But the Old Trafford top brass did not see the value in giving up a 22-year-old with his career ahead of him for someone who turns 30 in less than a week, even if he is a Brazil international.
Another complication is that while United don't want to sell crowd favourite Martial within the Premier League, their £80million valuation is deterring continental clubs from making a move.
Martial arrived from Monaco as a teenager three years ago in a £36m deal that included three £8m ‘add-on’ clauses that could potentially take his total cost to £58m.
So far, the Red Devils have paid out on only one of those clauses — when Martial hit his 25th goal for the club, taking his cost to £44m.
The other two bonus payments will be due should he reach 40 caps for France (he currently has 18) and if he ever wins the Ballon 'D'Or.
Despite Martial’s problems with Mourinho, who is unhappy with his attitude, United are looking to recoup nearly double their outlay so far, because of the France international’s talent and potential.
Mourinho is reported to have fined Martial two weeks' wages for failing to return after being giving permission to leave their pre-season tour to the USA for the birth of his second child.
He returned to training on Friday and is in the squad to travel to Germany.
sepcdopruz
82
For those fans saying martial is lazy martial should work hard and claim his place, remember that no matter how your try to full a basket with water it will never full? Like wise no matter how martial play in man united Jose mouhrino will never see the good in him, pls sack that man in other for use to see attacking football not defending
Kombopu
71
what are you guys saying? martial shld make use of any chance he had, was Jessi ligard not sitting on the bench, but today he what's to be playing. martial shld do more, we need more of him, he shld work hard on his thinking, look at mppabe he is working hard, y martial is busy pregnant in different babes
limcdr
70
Best signing for the season keeping that boy ! well done Jose .
Neildej9
63
He is young yes, but not forever, this is when he needs game time to improve. None of this BS people giving about fighting for his position at ManU, it’s just a popularity contest there. He had better goal conversion then both Sanchez and Rashford yet less game time then both. Maybe him and Mourinho don’t work well together, nothing wrong with that but atleast let him move on to somewhere he can better himself and not stagnate. Better for both, quite frankly ManU don’t exactly need him.
coteklnyz
52
But Mourinho's attitude to France players is not good. Look what he did last season put Paul Pogba on the bench in the UEFA champions to he is not serious about his job. Now is fighting with Martial about what reason? Change your behaviour too MAN UNITED BOSS like SIR ALEX FERGUSON!!!!!!!
sakaimnos
43
hazard was good too at Chelsea when Mourinho was there and what happened???maybe he wants a kid out like Moyes for buying and selling and never proof anything to what u brought in,,let players play freely like at Liverpool nobody is perfect u can miss a ball meant to be an equaliser but the next game u score the only goal in a final
yimimsuyz
35
there's no room for lazy players in man u.so for those of you who are asking for mourinho, to be sacked,y you better look for another club. where laziness is tolerate
hamza_chounaki
33
For those fans saying martial is lazy martial should work hard and claim his place, remember that no matter how your try to full a basket with water it will never full? Like wise no matter how martial play in man united Jose mouhrino will never see the good in him, pls sack that man in other for use to see attacking football not defending