Barcelona have reportedly made a surprise enquiry over out of favour Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, in a move which would bring an end to his frustrating Old Trafford spell.
Martial, 25, has made just nine appearances in all competitions this season - with most coming from the bench, and faces an uncertain future at the club under newly-announced interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
And Mundo Deportivo have now reported that cash-strapped Barcelona asked about Martial's availability recently, with the potential for the striker to join in January.
Club officials from the Nou Camp flew out to Manchester on a business trip, with football director Mateu Alemany and CEO Ferran Reverter among those who spoke to United to ascertain whether Martial would be available.
The same report has added that Xavi is an admirer of the former Monaco man's qualities, despite his mixed fortunes at United over the past couple of seasons.
However, both he and Barcelona will be forced to wait for several weeks to discover whether the move can happen ahead of the winter window.
As a result of the financial chaos at the Catalonian giants, the club will be desperate to snap up their target on the cheap, with a loan deal a possibility.
Martial, who is able to play on either wing and as a centre forward, is contracted to United until 2025 - and therefore may still come with a substantial price tag.
He has scored just eight goals in all competitions since the start of the 2021-21 campaign, although his best ever season with the Red Devils saw him net 17 league goals and pick up six assists.
It is believed that Rangnick, who was officially unveiled by United yesterday, will hold the final say over Martial's next move, with the next few weeks set to be crucial.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho were brought in over the summer, French international Martial has slumped further down the pecking order.
Sportsmail has reported, though, that several of United's unsettled stars are now open to delaying their decisions after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking.
A number of players became increasingly frustrated over their lack of action, and Solskjaer's refusal to rotate his squad despite a string of poor results.
His exit - and Rangnick's arrival - has handed fresh hope to the likes of Martial, Donny van de Beek, Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles and Diogo Dalot.
Meanwhile, Paul Parker has accused Martial and Marcus Rashford of not wanting to work hard at United.
'You've got a young Mason Greenwood, being a young lad you wonder where he head is at,' he told Talk Of The Devils.
'He was a key player a few weeks back, getting a good rapport at the back end of last season with [Edinson] Cavani and you could see Ronaldo was respecting what he was trying to achieve.
'I would play Greenwood in front of Rashford all day long. I'm just thinking why Rashford gets so much game time.
'You're looking at it and there is nothing coming out of it to be perfectly honest. How does Martial get the game time in Villarreal, I really don't know. It seems strange.
'Okay, if you have a bad game you have a bad game. But when you see players who don't want to work hard that is when questions need to be asked and Martial doesn't want to work hard. Rashford doesn't want to work hard. He doesn't really want to.'
Wunbeilpsz
1
why
xx88x
0
instead get 17 18 years talent n give them chance n training cheap n best
Easier to buy a player that plays in a top league and can probably do something then to put your faith in a young player who could break under pressure when playing for bigger teams
keadntz
1
yesterday football results
Futballfairfan
1
Media fake news but you fans will always believe media trash
Ceeacekloz
1
barcelona still they don't know what to do
Philchetz
3
We're barca and we shall enquire on almost every player buh buy none ™️😝😜😝😜😜
wamabdmnuz
0
instead get 17 18 years talent n give them chance n training cheap n best
DavidDaevchinyama
0
why
feyabcilp
1
Barcelona your welcome to him😉 Although not to sure how Depay will react 🤔 when when he's re-UNITED with ("I don't run or chase") Martial
Roobs67
0
yes pls take him for FREE
ruweilrt
0
We can all dream bro, sometimes they even come true 🤣
lol. that dream can nver taste reality..
SMHellas
0
ur sick..pedri for wasted Martial?...my guy visit d hospital please
We can all dream bro, sometimes they even come true 🤣
ruweilrt
0
Give Pedri or Fati in return and you have a deal!
ur sick..pedri for wasted Martial?...my guy visit d hospital please
zecdeimp
1
i think xavi is sick for even considering martial as an option
SMHellas
0
Give Pedri or Fati in return and you have a deal!
hupdersuyz
0
Shut up and stop being naive! Ur club is dead broke and cannot afford to sign top players anymore! U must deal with the fact that Barca is more a top team both on and off the pitch!
Idc about that but we don’t need a bench player like martial
Mejibray
0
We don’t need martial Barcelona come on now damn.. we don’t need useless player we need strike like haland lewa strike like suarez benzema we need somebody who have hungry or scoring not martial
As if Barca can fork out that money to buy these players
Satbdimo
0
Barca officials must be crazy or have some serious drug problem. ManU will laugh their way to the bank.
Paodelmnsy
1
which martial
Shauny300
0
3 of Xavi old UCL final winning boots & 4 bags of chips!! that’s a deal
Ayupson
3
i just have a feeling that martial can definitely shone in barca
Bewlmopsz
1
you are right 👍👍
Sapekmnosz
0
Pay up Barce
nababdmnt
0
very true the two are letting us down very lazy
Dizz1
0
Pay up pls!! Can't wait to see him go
duwbilpty
0
you want everyone even those don't know how to play tomorrow this player today that player
Maxinolie
0
Joke of the Year 🤣🤣🤣
tipaeikmot
3
Peter Shalulile is far better than Martial
Leuabprtu
1
good player coach thinks
twikista
1
please give them for free.
kg-4991
0
Take him take him please.
Chima92
0
We don’t need martial Barcelona come on now damn.. we don’t need useless player we need strike like haland lewa strike like suarez benzema we need somebody who have hungry or scoring not martial
Shut up and stop being naive! Ur club is dead broke and cannot afford to sign top players anymore! U must deal with the fact that Barca is more a top team both on and off the pitch!
jubaer420
0
Sell him and use that money to bring koundey and a dm in January.
hupdersuyz
1
We don’t need martial Barcelona come on now damn.. we don’t need useless player we need strike like haland lewa strike like suarez benzema we need somebody who have hungry or scoring not martial
AndreSmart
1
Martial isn't a striker, Barcelona don't fall into that trap. there are far better strikers who will come for cheap
Natinostuz
1
Parker is right about Martial and Rashford
Bocbcikrsu
1
how much if we give Jones😂😂
BarcaChelArg
2
I think Barcelona should take a good example from Depay. Depay performs well with the National team while he struggles at Barcelona. What more Martial who doesn't even make the Bench for France National team??!! Xavi open the eyes please; even Raheem can help the team much better!!!
samheliez
1
take him for free.
Beautifulboy
3
Barca new motto: If you don’t perform as expected in Man U, come and try your luck in Barca.😂
Unitedforlife6
4
better than luuk
Ireland8997750
1
By by
huycekops
2
Lies.. All lies..
Wiwacenruz
1
Why is Barca keep bringing the Martial joke?
AmirrezaAmiri
2
Martial is the Luck De Jong Pro Max we dont need him!
Macneal
1
So every player is for Barcelona
Viockprsuz
6
Rumors about Barcelona transfer are so funny Every journalist wakes up in the morning and write about a new player Barcelona wants to sign😂😂 One day it’ll be about Barcelona trying to sign Ronaldinho or Etoo
HQuinta
1
Barca is tied to anyone willing. They are practically begging at this point.
widckopy
0
Plz barca dont do this
fadbdiklnz
0
Would sell him for 15-35 million