Football

ANTHONY MARTIAL ATTRACTING INTEREST FROM LIGUE 1 CLUBS AFTER MANCHESTER UNITED DEPARTURE

Jun 01, 2024

Anthony Martial is attracting attention from Ligue 1 clubs Marseille and Lyon following his departure from Manchester United. Elsewhere, Crystal Palace and Brentford both want Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho’s representatives are in talks for the Portuguese to take over at Turkish Super Lig outfit Fenerbahce after leaving AS Roma earlier this season.

MARTIAL IN DEMAND AFTER MAN UTD EXIT
Anthony Martial is a free agent after finally leaving Manchester United after years of inconsistent form and fitness.
The Daily Mail believes that he has a couple of options to return to France, with one club from further afield also interested.

The paper reports: ”Anthony Martial has announced his Man United exit and the French forward looks to have a number of options when it comes to his next club.
“Ligue 1 duo Lyon and Marseille are both interested in acquiring his services this summer. Martial began his career at Lyon, joining the club at the age of 14.
“Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas are also said to be contemplating a move for the 28-year-old.
“Martial’s contract has been allowed to expire, meaning he is available as a free agent.”

MAN UTD TARGET CHALOBAH IN ATTEMPT FOR NEW TRANSFER APPROACH
Manchester United will attempt to sign Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea this summer as they change their transfer approach.
The Mirror reports that Jim Ratcliffe wants United to go for more affordable and younger players, rather than spending big on veterans.
The paper writes: “Manchester United are interested in signing Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah this summer as part of a different approach to the summer transfer window.
“United spent over £170 million last summer to bring in Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana, but finished a lowly eighth in the Premier League. The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team as part of a 27.7 per cent takeover in February has signalled a change of direction for the club – and that includes in the transfer market.
“Chalobah nearly left Chelsea for Bayern Munich last summer, while the German club revisited their interest in January, only for a loan offer to be rebuffed. Nevertheless, the Blues are willing to listen to offers for the centre-back, who – in typical Chelsea style – is under contract until June 2028, with the option of a further year.
“United know they themselves need to sell players before they can spend money in the summer transfer window. The club are willing to listen to offers for just about every player, barring young trio Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Hojlund.”

BELLINGHAM LINKED WITH PREMIER LEAGUE SWITCH
Both Crystal Palace and Brentford are keen on signing Jobe Bellingham – Jude’s brother – from Sunderland this summer.
The two Premier League sides want the 18-year-old, who can play in midfield and in attack.

The Sun writes: “Crystal Palace want to sign Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham this summer – but face competition from a Premier League rival.
“The 18-year-old is understood to be Oliver Glasner’s priority target. He could now be in line for a move to the Premier League ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
“Crystal Palace are already in talks to sign Bellingham. The Eagles have made him a top transfer target going into the summer window.
“However, Palace face competition from Brentford.
“Thomas Frank and his team have been monitoring Bellingham in recent months.”

MOURINHO SET FOR TURKEY JOB
After leaving AS Roma earlier in the season, Jose Mourinho has been linked with a job in the Turkish Super Lig.
The former Chelsea and Real Madrid man is in talks with Istanbul giants Fenerbahce to take over for next season.
The Telegraph states: “Jose Mourinho is in talks with representatives of Fenerbahce in London with a view to agreeing a deal this week to take over at the Turkish giants, who are desperate to end 10 years without a domestic league championship.
“Mourinho, 61, is eager to work again having lost his most recent job at Roma in January and the offer from Fenerbahce is the best on the table this summer. The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager told Telegraph Sport last month that he does not want to take a break in a career that has seen him working for some of the biggest clubs in Europe for the last 24 years with only a few short periods out the game.
“The challenge at Fenerbahce is huge: last season the club amassed 99 points in the Super Lig, lost once all season – in early November – and still finished second behind Galatasaray despite winning away at their rivals. It prompted wild scenes of protest against the club’s hierarchy on the streets of Istanbul.”