According to reports in The Telegraph, Inter Milan are ready to demand Anthony Martial on loan in any deal for unsettled Manchester United target Ivan Perisic this summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Jose Mourinho is keen to bring the Croatia international to Old Trafford before the start of the new season as he looks to strengthen his squad in the wide areas, but the Red Devils have yet to meet Inter’s £49m valuation of the winger, according to The Telegraph.
The report says that the Serie A giants are worried about how they would replace the two-footed player if he did leave for the Premier League, and The Telegraph says that they could ask for Anthony Martial on loan in return to soften the blow of losing the 28-year-old.
United have previously turned down all loan offers for the Frenchman and considering he is one of only three striking options right now – alongside Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford – it would be a surprise if he was allowed to leave.
How did Martial do last season?
Despite The Telegraph reporting that Martial was criticised on a number of occasions by Mourinho last term, the 21-year-old still made 42 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils, scoring eight goals and providing a further eight assists.
However, he was still in and out of the side at points during the Premier League campaign and also rarely featured in the latter stages of the Europa League as the club lifted the trophy by beating Ajax.
Would United really consider loaning him out?
It’s difficult to say.
If Mourinho really wants Perisic and United aren’t willing to pay the £49m then they may have to give Martial as part of the deal, but they would surely be better off just paying the fee – especially after spending £75m on Lukaku already this summer.
However, if Martial did go on a temporary basis and it allowed the Portuguese boss to bring in a new player then he could be all for it.
What’s the verdict, then?
Well, while Mourinho is obviously desperate to sign Perisic, United should just pay the asking price rather than losing one of their few attacking options in what is going to be another fixture-heavy season.
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