2 Champions League clubs keeping tabs on ex-Manchester United star Anthony Martial: Reports
Ex-Manchester United star Anthony Martial has reportedly popped up as a transfer target for two UEFA Champions League clubs in the ongoing summer window.
Martial, 28, ended his nine-year-long stint at the Old Trafford outfit at the end of his deal earlier this June. He started seven of his 19 appearances in his last campaign at United, registering just two goals.
Now, according to Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas, Atalanta and LOSC Lille are both keen to sign Martial on a free transfer this month.
Atalanta, who won the UEFA Europa League last season, are hoping to sign a new striker following Gianluca Scamacca's anterior cruciate ligament injury. Lille, on the other hand, are also on the hunt for a new number nine as Jonathan David is likely to depart this summer.
Prior to leaving Manchester United, Martial scored 90 goals and laid out 47 assists in 317 appearances across competitions for the Red Devils.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have signed a new striker this summer. They spent over £36 million to snap up Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.
Manchester United star lauded by pundit
Speaking to UK-based online bookmaker Gambling Zone, ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit showered praise on Manchester United summer signing Leny Yoro. He elaborated:
"He forced his way into the Lille team from their academy and, straight away, he impressed everyone with his ability. He is a very mature player for someone so young and I love his ambition to make a move to the Premier League at 18 years old. He's got great qualities. I like his abilities as a player and I like him as a person. He wants responsibilities on the pitch, and he's never hidden from that."
Opining on Yoro's recent injury, the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner said:
"It's unfortunate for him, he's out for three months. He's fractured his metatarsal. I think maybe he played too many games last season at such a young age. He's got a lot of developing to do in terms of his physicality, he needs to work on gaining some more muscles and becoming more robust, but he's a young guy and he will get there."
Yoro, who was linked with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain prior to joining the Red Devils, left Lille in a transfer worth up to £59 million.
Last season, the 18-year-old centre-back helped Lille record 20 clean sheets in 44 matches across competitions. He scored three goals too.