Anthony Martial

[Primativ]

I'm still holding out hope thay this will happen. The 1 signing I want above all else this window and I think Poch thinks the same.

Instantly solves our WF attacker and back up striker to Kane spots with just one signing.

 

[Trix]

According to The Times Utd are looking for around 89 mil. Even in this market I think that's excessive.

Everyone in the Prem is holding out for more than they are going to get. That is becoming a huge issue for everyone looking to buy internally.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Everyone in the Prem is holding out for more than they are going to get. That is becoming a huge issue for everyone looking to buy internally.

Surely at this point it just makes much more sense to look abroad for deals. Obviously that has its own issues, ie the different window lengths, but even so there is a lot of talent out there for better value. I guess we have to look local for HG reasons, and pick up deals if/when they arrive (Grealish) but shopping for the likes of Zaha, Martial etc is financial suicide for any club that isn't City or Utd. Richarlison is going to the Everton for almost as much as Fekir was going to cost Liverpool. Obviously wages will be different. But even so, Richarlison looked really mediocre last season and I never got the hype.

 

[glospur]

Surely at this point it just makes much more sense to look abroad for deals Obviously that has its own issues, ie the different window lengths, but even so there is a lot of talent out there. I guess we have to look local for HG reasons, and pick up deals if/when they arrive (Grealish) but shopping for the likes of Zaha, Martial etc is financial suicide for any club that isn't City or Utd. Richarlison is going to the Everton for almost as much as Fekir was going to cost Liverpool. Obviously wages will be different. But even so, Richarlison looked really mediocre last season and I never got the hype.

I think you've perfectly summarised the conundrum that we find ourselves in. Can't fit non-HG players in the squad but all th eHG players we would want are ridiculously over priced. It's a tough situation to be in.

 

[Trix]

Surely at this point it just makes much more sense to look abroad for deals Obviously that has its own issues, ie the different window lengths, but even so there is a lot of talent out there. I guess we have to look local for HG reasons, and pick up deals if/when they arrive (Grealish) but shopping for the likes of Zaha, Martial etc is financial suicide for any club that isn't City or Utd. Richarlison is going to the Everton for almost as much as Fekir was going to cost Liverpool. Obviously wages will be different. But even so, Richarlison looked really mediocre last season and I never got the hype.

Of course but it's not like as soon as a Prem team starts looking at a player abroad the price doesn't hike in the same way.I have said it numerous times a player is only worth what a team is willing to pay for them. You only have to look at the price tag Levy has put on Toby purely IMO because of what Pool paid for VVD. It used to be a case that you could pick up bargains from Holland and France because they were lesser leagues. The only way to get that sort of value now is when the club is desperate to get rid.

 

[LeParisien]

According to The Times Utd are looking for around 89 mil. Even in this market I think that's excessive.

Interesting figure - seems to me to have been converted from euros (why not £90m?). Man Utd are looking for €100m...

I’m happy to be corrected but according to the agreement with Monaco, Man Utd will owe them a sell-on fee. This is worth 50% of any value between €60m-€100m. If Man Utd are looking for €100m then that would be €20m to Monaco and €80m to Man Utd. That’s about £71m. Well assume that is how much Man Utd would be happy to receive for Martial, who has (basically) two years left on his contract.

But here’s the really interesting thing...

The sell-on clauses expire at the end of the 2018 summer registration period. That means if the situation were identical next year we could assume Man Utd’s ideal amount for the transfer wouldn’t be £89m but £71m. EXCEPT at that point Martial will have one year left on his contract and not two. So Man Utd would almost certainly have a lower ideal amount.

With some negotiating I think Martial could realistically be available for £50-£60m next summer because of the disappearing sell-on clause.

 

[ToDarrenIsToDo]

Of course but it's not like as soon as a Prem team starts looking at a player abroad the price doesn't hike in the same way.I have said it numerous times a player is only worth what a team is willing to pay for them. You only have to look at the price tag Levy has put on Toby purely IMO because of what Pool paid for VVD. It used to be a case that you could pick up bargains from Holland and France because they were lesser leagues. The only way to get that sort of value now is when the club is desperate to get rid.

Even an 18 year old De Ligt would cost you £50m. Best foot forward is to invest in the grassroots of the club such as the academy, training facilities and the stadium which will as of 2 months time be set up for us for the next 50-100 years.

We've played it right, even if there are frustrations this summer window and last

 

[StevePil]

Dont do it to yourself, clearly not happening

It is the player we need but when do we ever get that signing we desperately need.....

JJ says Zaha unlikely too - really is looking a crap window, just hope something changes soon

 

[LeParisien]

Levy is very silly if he thinks he can get VVD prices for Toby now. Makes sense for United to come in last minute and offer slightly over the 25m he will go for next summer. If Poch isn't prepared to use him I don't see what the point is in keeping him, i'd just really it was rather abroad.

Doesn’t make sense for us to accept that offer. We could get a year of use from him. Phenomenal backup dancer. And Man Utd - a direct rival - wouldn’t get the benefit.

Both of those factors would have to be priced in to their offer above £25m.

 

[barry]

an Utd are looking for €100m...

Interesting figure - seems to me to have been converted from euros (why not £90m?). Man Utd are looking for €100m...

I’m happy to be corrected but according to the agreement with Monaco, Man Utd will owe them a sell-on fee. This is worth 50% of any value between €60m-€100m. If Man Utd are looking for €100m then that would be €20m to Monaco and €80m to Man Utd. That’s about £71m. Well assume that is how much Man Utd would be happy to receive for Martial, who has (basically) two years left on his contract.

But here’s the really interesting thing...

The sell-on clauses expire at the end of the 2018 summer registration period. That means if the situation were identical next year we could assume Man Utd’s ideal amount for the transfer wouldn’t be £89m but £71m. EXCEPT at that point Martial will have one year left on his contract and not two. So Man Utd would almost certainly have a lower ideal amount.

With some negotiating I think Martial could realistically be available for £50-£60m next summer because of the disappearing sell-on clause.

Next summer he'll be 25-30 mil. Even in todays inflated market not many will 50-60m for a player with one year left on his contract.

 

[LeParisien]

Next summer he'll be 25-30 mil. Even in todays inflated market not many will 50-60m for a player with one year left on his contract.

I don’t agree. I think Man Utd would accept a lower offer from abroad but they will not sell at that price to a direct rival.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Even an 18 year old De Ligt would cost you £50m. Best foot forward is to invest in the grassroots of the club such as the academy, training facilities and the stadium which will as of 2 months time be set up for us for the next 50-100 years.

We've played it right, even if there are frustrations this summer window and last

It makes sense long term but that won't convince our big stars to stay. They will rightly want to feel like they are at a team that can win the PL and subsequently the CL. I'm sure, much like Poch, they were told Spurs will be improving and competing now for major honours during contract negotiations. Along with the Neymar deal and the new PL money, super agents are also causing havoc with their huge fees and constantly pitting the mega teams against eachother. Players like De Ligt and Lozano signing with the likes of Raiola really takes us out of Levy's comfort zone. Saying that, I still believe we can find talent abroad for reasonable fees. But that relates to our scouts as much as everyone else.

 

[GetSpurredOn]

It's been clear from the off, one of key positions to fill this summer is he WF/CF hybrid, to be Kane's backup in the same Son is. Someone who can be assured minutes elsewhere to stay sharp, not just reliant on Kane's absence. Bale, Martial seem the blueprint type player we are looking for, pace and power, and to a lesser extent you could understand Plea as a backup option, similar skill set, albeit less proven. Latterly Zaha is the name in the frame, although I'm not yet as convinced he is as viable at CF.
Since they all appear off the table, I'm not seeing/hearing of any other options. Sadly, how far down the list do we go? Poch must have been promised a certain level of backing, I hope that comes good. I don't think I ever saw Martial as viable, he always seemed one of those scenarios that would drag on all window and pulled away too late to source a replacement.
People are suggesting Pulisic or Malcom as alternatives, but they seem more AM than WF/CF, likewise Lozano (linked in the media yesterday).
All too quiet, can only hope there's things going on behind the scenes. The market has clearly shifted, and the club's plans need to shift with it, or we'll be left behind. I understand the club has to be run smartly, and we have a budget we have to work to, but there comes a point where ambition and expectation have to be proportion to investment. If there's a gap in the squad, identify the right player, don't gamble repeatedly and hope for the best. There are a number of stories doing the rounds that our fringe players are not attracting the interest we want, which tells you how good they are.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

It's been clear from the off, one of key positions to fill this summer is he WF/CF hybrid, to be Kane's backup in the same Son is. Someone who can be assured minutes elsewhere to stay sharp, not just reliant on Kane's absence. Bale, Martial seem the blueprint type player we are looking for, pace and power, and to a lesser extent you could understand Plea as a backup option, similar skill set, albeit less proven. Latterly Zaha is the name in the frame, although I'm not yet as convinced he is as viable at CF.
Since they all appear off the table, I'm not seeing/hearing of any other options. Sadly, how far down the list do we go? Poch must have been promised a certain level of backing, I hope that comes good. I don't think I ever saw Martial as viable, he always seemed one of those scenarios that would drag on all window and pulled away too late to source a replacement.
People are suggesting Pulisic or Malcom as alternatives, but they seem more AM than WF/CF, likewise Lozano (linked in the media yesterday).
All too quiet, can only hope there's things going on behind the scenes.

Great post. If we don’t invest in what seems like a priority position for Poch, you have to wonder how this affects his relationship with the club. I’m never one to wet the bed before midnight so I’m hoping your last paragraph comes to fruition

 

[jonathanhotspur]

According to The Times Utd are looking for around 89 mil. Even in this market I think that's excessive.

It would not put me off. Our need is dire.

 

[GetSpurredOn]

Great post. If we don’t invest in what seems like a priority position for Poch, you have to wonder how this affects his relationship with the club. I’m never one to wet the bed before midnight so I’m hoping your last paragraph comes to fruition

If you keep buying second rate CF options, there's no real room to complain that they don't deliver when Kane is out.
There's time yet, so hopefully Poch gets backed, you'd assume that would have formed part of his new contract discussions.
No point getting bent out of shape until the window is closed though.
We seem to have been targeting that particular type of forward, so hopefully we continue rather than just getting another filler like Llorente.

Beyond that position, it's all about replacing Alderweireld and Dembele if they go, so key to get the right calibre. Assuming there'll be more outgoing than incoming, I'd like to see is give opportunities to the likes of Onomah rather than bring in more Sissoko type squad men.
If we can't/won't pay the going rate, then I'd rather see us gamble on promising youngsters than buy more middle of the road players who just clog up the squad.

2 senior players out, use the fees/wages to buy one high calibre player, fill the gap with development player.
Alderweireld & Nkoudou - Pavard/De Ligt/Similar & Edwards
Dembele & Sissoko - Rabiot/Kovacic/Similar & Onomah.
Llorente & Janssen - Martial/Bale/Similar & Sterling/Griffiths

 

[tiger666]

It would not put me off. Our need is dire.

What's so dire that we desperately need an attacking mid that can also cover for Kane? We have Son for that. He's going to be missing for a month.

 

[B0NZ0]

I have a feeling that Toby / Martial swap isn't over as the press and others say. Both teams strengthen where they are weak without a huge loss ~ people will argue we are far weaker without Toby and I agree, but is there a way back now? He's gone in afraid. It's all about the best possible outcome from him leaving now. Similar situation with Martial, although not quite as far along.

 

[zicomerc]

What's so dire that we desperately need an attacking mid that can also cover for Kane? We have Son for that. He's going to be missing for a month.

He'll also be missing in January when the Asian Cup takes place, and maybe even the Christmas programme preceding it as it's a mandatory competition. Unless we've done a deal with South Korea for him to skip it if he wins gold in the Asian Games.

 

[Lighty64]

If you keep buying second rate CF options, there's no real room to complain that they don't deliver when Kane is out.
There's time yet, so hopefully Poch gets backed, you'd assume that would have formed part of his new contract discussions.
No point getting bent out of shape until the window is closed though.
We seem to have been targeting that particular type of forward, so hopefully we continue rather than just getting another filler like Llorente.

Beyond that position, it's all about replacing Alderweireld and Dembele if they go, so key to get the right calibre. Assuming there'll be more outgoing than incoming, I'd like to see is give opportunities to the likes of Onomah rather than bring in more Sissoko type squad men.
If we can't/won't pay the going rate, then I'd rather see us gamble on promising youngsters than buy more middle of the road players who just clog up the squad.

2 senior players out, use the fees/wages to buy one high calibre player, fill the gap with development player.
Alderweireld & Nkoudou - Pavard/De Ligt/Similar & Edwards
Dembele & Sissoko - Rabiot/Kovacic/Similar & Onomah.
Llorente & Janssen - Martial/Bale/Similar & Sterling/Griffiths

not being funny but what 1st rate striker would join, to sit on the bench in hope he gets a chance? how do you expect any striker to come in at the drop of the hat, and expect them to hit the ground running. doesn't matter what position you play on the field, players usually take time to gain form, and strikers feed off confidence.

no one wants to sign a Sissoko, but sometimes they turn into them. Bakayoko for Chelsea looked a talent for Monaco, looked shit for Chelsea. no guarantee Jorginho will do any better, or Fabinho. to be honest there are only 2 guarantees in life, BIRTH & DEATH.

to be totally honest, I really hope that Poch gets the Toby & Dembele replacements, Martial and Zaha, I'm really struggling to see how they help takes us up a level, and both play in Son's position. yes Son floats and has played well when on the right side, but definitely wouldn't want him starting there. in his 1st season he played well on the left, then got injured, and when brought back was mainly out on the right, and was so ineffective.

there is only 1 player out there that could take us up that extra level that we might of had a very small chance of getting and he looks like staying in Spain. Until we can ever compete with the likes for the very top clubs for players and wages they get paid, we are going to have to hope we either continue on the route we have by making sure we finish top 4, hope we can get lucky with a cup win, or hope that when we are in contention next time, the team at the top struggles at the end, or we stay strong and stay ahead