London: Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed the signing of 19-year-old French striker Anthony Martial from Monaco on a four-year contract with an option for a further year.
“Manchester United is delighted to announce that Anthony Martial has completed his transfer from AS Monaco,” the club announced on their website.
United did not disclose the transfer fee, but British media reports said it was £36 million ($55.1 million, 49 million euros) — a record for a teenage player — with reports in France suggesting it could rise to 80 million euros.
“I am so excited to be joining Manchester United,” said Martial. “I have enjoyed my time at AS Monaco and I would like to thank them and the fans for everything they have done for me.”
News of United’s move for Martial sent shockwaves across European football, with the former Lyon youngster having played just 52 Ligue 1 games and scored 11 goals in his fledgling career.
But despite United having struggled for goals in the season to date, manager Louis van Gaal suggested that he would be given a gentle introduction to English football. “Anthony is a naturally talented, young, multi-functional forward with great potential,” Van Gaal told the club website. “We have been watching him for a while now and he has developed immensely during his time at AS Monaco.
“I am delighted he has joined Manchester United as I believe this is the right club for him to continue his development as a young player.
“He has all the attributes to become a top football player; however we need to give him time to adjust to his new environment and the rhythm of the Premier League.”
Martial joined Monaco from Lyon for around five million euros in 2013 and broke into the first team only last season, scoring 12 goals in 46 appearances. He was handed his first France call-up for the forthcoming friendlies with Portugal and Serbia and was allowed to leave their Clairefontaine training base on Monday in order to sign his contract and undergo a medical.
“I have always wanted to play in the Premier League and to join the biggest club in the world is what every young footballer dreams of,” added Martial, who has represented France at every youth level from under-16 to under-21.
“I am looking forward to meeting my new teammates and working with Louis van Gaal, who has achieved so much in his career.”
Saido Berahino has meanwhile slammed West Bromwich Albion amid reports the Premier League club have rebuffed two more bids from Tottenham for the England Under-21 striker.
Berahino had hoped to be allowed to join Tottenham on transfer deadline day as the north London club stepped up their interest after two recently rejected offers. But Albion chairman Jeremy Peace reportedly snubbed Tottenham’s third and then fourth attempts to sign the 22-year-old on Tuesday.
It is understood the bids were only marginally better than Tottenham’s second offer, made last month, which would have risen to 21 million pounds ($32 million) with clauses and add-ons.
Peace and Albion manager Tony Pulis are determined to hold on to their star striker, but Berahino, who had a transfer request rejected last month, is unhappy with the situation, judging by a post on his official Twitter account in which he appeared to threaten never to play for the club again.
“Sad how I can’t say exactly how the club has treated me but I can officially say I will never play Jeremy Peace,” he tweeted.
Berahino has been left out of West Brom’s last three squads as the transfer saga heated up, with Pulis insisting at the weekend he was not in the right state of mind to play.
Pulis, though, had added that Berahino was not a piece of meat and his feelings should be taken into account.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been searching for more firepower to help misfiring England striker Harry Kane and Berahino, who scored 20 goals last season, is his top target.
