Bayern Munich have been linked with Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, who wants to leave his club this summer.
It’s been a busy week or so for Bayern Munich. Preparations for next season are finally coming to light. Niko Kovac has been officially announced as next season’s coach. Meanwhile, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have reportedly signed one-year contract extensions with the club. Rafinha is on the verge of doing so himself as well.
One area where the club hasn’t seemed to make much progress is in the transfer market. Most fans feel the club is in need of at least one more wing option, even with Robbery’s extension and Serge Gnabry’s return from loan at Hoffenheim.
A potential option for that is Manchester United forward Anthony Martial. Per a report from Calciomercato, Bayern Munich have shown a concrete interest in the young forward, amidst rumors of him joining Juventus in the summer.
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The transfer rumor doesn’t add much other than briefly mentioning Bayern’s interest and claiming Manchester United have slapped a €50 million pricetag on the player, but it still presents an interesting topic for fans to consider.
Martial is undoubtedly a talented player. His time at Manchester United has been a bit turbulent, but he’s nevertheless showed his pure talent and potential on several occasions. He’s a versatile forward, capable of playing anywhere across the frontline. He’s much more of a goalscoring threat than he is a creator, but that’s not to say he can’t do both. Whether it be on the wings or at center-forward, the Frenchman can pose a real threat for any defense.
However, Martial’s least comfortable position is the one Bayern most need to reinforce: right wing. The 2015 Golden Boy winner has most often in his career been deployed as a striker or a left winger. That’s not to say he wouldn’t be effective on the opposing flank, nor that he wouldn’t be a good purchase for the Bavarians.
As already mentioned, his talent is undeniable. He’s incredibly experienced for a 22-year-old and still has tons of room for growth. There might be a few questions about his attitude, but sometimes a change in environment might be just what a young player needs to help in that area.
Bayern already have a good French contingent in Franck Ribery, Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso. The latter two are near Martial’s age and would no doubt help him adjust to his new club. Meanwhile, Franck Ribery serves as an excellent on-pitch role model for any young winger to learn under.
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Right now the rumors are just that, rumors. But this does seem like a transfer Bayern Munich could make this summer, especially if the reported fee is true. The Bavarians could certainly do much worse than an exciting young forward like Martial who already has plenty of first-team experience.