5 possible destinations for Anthony Martial

The World Cup is the biggest story in the world right now but transfer news is never far away.

The admission by agent Philippe Lamboley that his client: Manchester United tyro Anthony Martial wants to leave Old Trafford has become the biggest transfer-related item in the last 24 hours.

The warning signs had begun ever since Jose Mourinho joined the club in 2016. The taking away of the Number 9 jersey from the French youngster (was handed to Zlatan Ibrahimovic) was the first sign of trouble.

Martial was one of the few bright spots of Louis van Gaal's two-year reign at the helm of affairs for England's most storied club and it was expected that he would play a major role in the last concluded season. Like most of his teammates, he started the campaign well but like most of his colleagues, his performances/disposition were not to Mourinho's liking.

The arrival of Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window made life even more difficult for the 22-year-old and his dropping from France's World Cup squad seems to have been the final straw.

He is set to be a hot commodity in the market, here are 5 likely destinations:

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#5 Arsenal

Emery would love having a winger like Martial

Given Arsenal's current team and the rumoured targets, the club's reportedly going after, Martial would be a more than welcome addition for new manager Unai Emery.

For a team that had a lot of bog-standard wingers at the start of last season (Theo Walcott, Joel Campbell, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and others), a clearout has happened and the team is now looking light on the flanks.

Armenian schemer Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Nigerian international Alex Iwobi, and Danny Welbeck have spent time as wingers under former manager Arsene Wenger. However, with the exception of Mkhitaryan, these other players have failed in this role.

With Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the attack, Martial would be a brilliant option to play on the left. The Frenchman's dribbling skills, scoring ability, and versatility would add an element of unpredictability to the team.

Martial would find himself in a team where he would get a regular run-out and the chance to prove himself as the world-class talent he has been touted to be.

#4 Tottenham Hotspur

Lamela could be the one to make way for Martial

In terms of style of play and fitting in, few teams would be as good a fit for Martial as Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs

The high pressing and always-looking-to-be-on-the-front-foot style that made the team a favourite of neutral fans last season, would be right up the Frenchman's alley as it would allow him to show his skills in the best possible way.

Spurs will be looking to add first team quality to the side for the coming season as it looks to finally place a sustained challenge for the major trophies available.

Pochettino has built a reputation for giving youngsters a chance to showcase their talents and his patience and know-how with players who are still finding their feet would appeal to Martial following his issues with Mourinho.

However, the Lilywhites already have Heung-Min Son, Lucas Moura and Erik Lamela in the wide positions and one or more of these players will need to be shifted to make way for Martial.

There is also the small issue of price as Spurs record signing; Davinson Sanchez cost just £42 million, a price that Manchester United would consider derisory for a player of Martial's calibre.

#3 Juventus

Martial would be an improvement over Cuadrado at Juve

One of the few big teams in which Martial would walk into the first XI almost immediately, it would be a great move for both club and player if the finances can be arranged.

Juan Cuadrado's age, injury issues and the loss of dynamism especially in the big matches mean that Juventus have struggled to create chances from the right flank for a while now. Manager Max Allegri looked to deal with this by playing Douglas Costa and Federico Bernardeschi on the flank. With both men being predominantly left-footed, it was a move that met with limited success.

Martial's dynamism and would add a new dimension to the Bianconeri attack that had become too dependant on Paulo Dybala to always create. With Mattia De Sciglio and Alex Sandro (if he stays) expected to occupy the right and left-back positions, the United winger's addition would add much-needed pace to the team's flanks.

United supremo Ed Woodward would not have forgotten the hoops he had to jump through to get Paul Pogba, Juventus may have to pay as much a lot to get the youngster's signature.

#2 FC Barcelona

Playing alongside Messi would raise Martial's game

A lack of pace upfront (which cost them dearly against AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League) and an over-reliance on Lionel Messi was one of the few negatives from Barca's incredible season last time around.

Due to the season-interrupting injury suffered by Ousmane Dembele in the opening moments of the La Liga campaign, manager Ernesto Valverde compensated by playing an extra midfielder. This coupled with the loss of form by Luis Suarez meant that the fullbacks were tasked with constantly providing the width the team needed.

Martial's explosive pace and dribbling could come in handy in quickening the pace. His ability to play across the front three would free up Messi to continue in his favoured free role.

It would be a brilliant move for the Frenchman as playing with Messi would help him lift his game to a different level and he would get the game time at a top club that he craves.

With the quality of the Blaugrana's midfield, Martial would be less tasked with defending like has been at United and will have the opportunity to adequately express himself.

#1 Chelsea

Pedro would be the one to make way for Martial

Going to Mourinho's former club to prove him wrong is a prospect that would appeal to Martial's competitive instincts and keep him in a league he has come to know quite well.

Chelsea’s attack was often slow and undynamic last season depending solely on Eden Hazard and occasionally on Willian for pace and width.

Martial's explosive pace and dribbling could come in handy and help the attack do better and given his proven Premier League status, he ticks all the right boxes for the Blues.

A frontline of Alvaro Morata, Hazard (if he stays) and Martial will be a handful for any Premier League team and whether Conte stays on as the manager or not, whoever is in the dugout will have a fantastic attacking line-up to work with.

With Mourinho's reported interest in Willian, a swap deal could be possible and it seems from the outside like the best option for all parties concerned.

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Which team do you think should look to sign Martial? Tell us in the comments below!