Anthony Martial is being targeted by Mexican side Pumas UNAM but the former Manchester United star’s “gigantic salary” is holding up a deal, according to a report.
AEK Athens open to an exit
Martial, 29, departed from Old Trafford at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season after his contract lapsed, with INEOS showing no desire to extend it.
Over the course of eight seasons, the French forward made 317 appearances in a red jersey, netting 90 goals and contributing 54 assists.
Although he arrived in 2015 as one of Europe’s most promising talents from Monaco, Martial’s tenure in Manchester was marred by injuries and inconsistency.
These challenges have persisted since he transitioned from England to Greece, joining AEK Athens on a free transfer, where he signed the “largest contract in the club’s history when he finalized the agreement last year,” according to the Daily Mail.
Last season, Martial featured in 23 matches for the Greek team, scoring nine goals and providing two assists, as AEK secured a spot in the Europa Conference League after finishing fourth in the Super League Greece.
The Yellow Blacks likely anticipated more from a player once viewed as a potential Ballon d’Or candidate, yet Martial is far from the athlete who made a significant impact on English football during his inaugural season with United.
This season has underscored that reality, with AEK manager Marko Nikolic excluding the Frenchman from his matchday roster for the past six matches.
The club is receptive to Martial’s departure, with the Greek transfer window set to close tomorrow. However, the forward’s salary in Athens is hindering a potential transfer, as he is reluctant to relinquish it, despite receiving interest from overseas.
Wage demands holding up a deal
Pumas – currently 10th in Liga MX – are targeting Martial, according to Mexican reporter Cesar Luis Merlo.
“AEK is willing to loan him to Pumas free of charge (they should only pay his salary), but Martial earns a gigantic salary, gigantic,” Merlo states on his YouTube channel (as relayed by the Daily Mail).
“They’ve been talking to him for three or four days, but the player still hasn’t given in to his demands. I’m not ruling him out 100 percent, but if he hasn’t budged in four days, I don’t see it being easy for him to move today.
“The reality is that Pumas is trying to get Martial, but the player doesn’t want to budge even a euro. For now, neither Martial nor his agent have budged.
“If they do, there may be a chance, but we’ll have to wait and see,” Merlo concludes.
There is a long line of players who have come through the door at Old Trafford in recent years whose sole concern was cashing their cheque with the club, rather than performing on the pitch. INEOS will simply be relieved they showed one example of this the exit last year.
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