Manchester United loanee Anthony Martial has revealed that he turned down approaches from Barcelona and Juventus to join Sevilla on loan for the rest of the season.
The Frenchman told United’s interim boss Ralf Rangnick he wanted to leave the Reds in the January transfer window, in December.
After patching up their differences in opinion as to why Martial missed United’s trip to Aston Villa, the 26-year-old came back into the United fold and came off the bench against West Ham.
It was only three days after making his first appearance under Rangnick that Martial’s loan move to Sevilla for the remainder of the season was confirmed.
The Europa League side don’t have a buy option included in the deal, but United’s number nine has confirmed he was approached by both Juventus and Barcelona.
Speaking to Diario de Sevilla, Martial said: “Yes. It’s true. Juventus tried to sign me. I was talking to my agent and told him I preferred to go to Sevilla. It was the best choice for me and my family.
“FC Barcelona spoke to my agent. But as I said I spoke to my agent and said: ‘My priority is Sevilla’. And when I say something to someone, I don’t change it, I keep my word.”
Despite an underwhelming debut for Julen Lopetegui’s side, Martial has aspirations of making France’s World Cup squad for the tournament in Qatar this winter, and he believes a move to Sevilla will only enhance his chances of being picked by Didier Deschamps.
Martial added: “It’s one of my goals. I want to do it because last time I wasn’t at the World Cup and France won it. So I’ll do my best to be this time.
“Sevilla is a good club and I know that if I play well I will go to the national team. It’s just up to me.”
When asked whether he felt any additional pressure due to Sevilla’s well-documented desire to sign him, the former Monaco made a slight dig towards United when it came to his happiness.
Martial said: “I don’t feel the pressure. I have played for Manchester United for almost seven years and there we had a lot of pressure. So I’m used to it. I just want to be happy. That’s all.”
Sevilla’s number 22 will be hoping to get off the mark for his new club when Elche travel to the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Friday night.
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