With Barcelona looking all set to part ways with Ousmane Dembele, either this winter or next summer, the club has its eyes set on future replacements. The likes of Bryan Gill and Hakim Ziyech are already being linked with the club and now, Gerard Romero understands that the Blaugrana have also been offered the chance to sign Anthony Martial.
Martial, 26, arrived at the Red Devils in 2015, and in his first two seasons at the club, he finished as the top scorer for his side. Under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer though, Martial lost prominence in the XI and was sent down the pecking order. Consequently, the 26-year-old looks like a shell of his past self and is now looking to leave Old Trafford to relaunch his career. He has been linked with a move to the La Liga with Sevilla said to be interested in signing him.
Manchester United aren’t looking for a temporary solution for the Frenchman in the form of a loan deal and want to part ways with him permanently. With that said, Sevilla’s reported loan-bid for Martial was shot down by the former Premier League champions.
Why Barcelona could sign Martial?
With Ousmane Dembele looking set to leave the club soon, Barcelona will need to replace him and Martial is certainly an attractive option. The current consensus at the club is that Dembele will be sold this winter if he does not renew. Barcelona will be looking to sell the 24-year-old this January in case he does not decide to lower his demands. Manchester United are said to be interested in signing the Frenchman and this makes the potential deal all the more interesting.
Moreover, signing Martial on a player plus cash deal will also help the Blaugrana strengthen their case for Haaland’s signature next summer or bring in immediate defensive reinforcements.
What Barcelona could do this winter?
A potential swap deal is in the making and the Blaugrana have been presented with the golden chance to get Dembele off their wage bill while partly cashing in on him. Barcelona could offer United Ousmane Dembele in a player plus cash deal with Martial and cash going Barca’s way. It is reported that the former La Liga champions would be demanding a fee in the range of €50 million if any potential suitors come looking for Dembele this winter. Keeping that in mind, Barcelona could perhaps demand Martial and about €20 million in cash.
This is all just speculation at this point but it will certainly be interesting to see if the Spanish giants manage to pull it off.
The likes of Newcastle and Juventus are also said to be interested in signing Dembele, and offers for the Frenchman could arrive this winter. Barcelona will likely be looking for a swap deal if and at all Manchester United submit an offer for Dembele.
Martial’s preferred destination still remains unknown but he would be guaranteed regular minutes on the pitch, should he decide to come to Camp Nou.
