Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Manchester United’s Anthony Martial following the injury to Callum Wilson.
According to the Mail, the Frenchman was not the ‘type’ of forward the Magpies were originally targeting, but the injury to Eddie Howe’s top goalscorer has changed things, due to the club’s ‘urgent’ need for a striker.
The club’s Saudi-led consortium were said to be originally looking at younger back-up options for Wilson before he went off injured in last month’s 1-1 draw against United.
However, with fears growing that Newcastle’s number nine could miss the bulk of the season due to a torn calf muscle, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) has reportedly changed their stance and are now considering targeting Anthony Martial.
But United are reportedly reluctant to part ways with the 26-year-old ‘right now’, partly because of the concerns surrounding Covid-19, while United also want any club loaning him to pay his wages.
The French international is yet to feature under Ralf Rangnick and has only started two Premier League games all season. He has one goal to his name which came against Everton in October.
The former Monaco man informed interim boss Rangnick that he wanted to leave the club last month, following a conversation between the pair.
The Reds have already rebuffed an approach from La Liga side Sevilla to sign Martial on loan until the end of the season, due to the Europa League side only offering to pay half of the French international’s £240,000 per wages, in addition to no loan fee being offered.
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Rangnick has stated that Martial won’t be selected while he actively pursues a move away from Old Trafford.
The club’s number nine was pictured working out at home yesterday in a Manchester United shirt.
After being given two days off following Monday’s defeat to Wolves, Martial and the rest of the first team squad are due back at Carrington today.
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