BREAKING NEWS: Martial leaves French squad to agree United deal

 

Anthony Martial has edged closer to completing his move to Manchester United, after leaving Clairefontaine on Monday.

Monaco striker Anthony Martial has left France's training camp at Clairefontaine to travel to Manchester United, where he is expected to agree a deal to sign for the Premier League club.

A statement from the French Football Federation read: "Anthony Martial arrived on Monday at 11:00 at the gathering of the France team at Clairefontaine. He requested permission from Didier Deschamps to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United.

"Given the exceptional circumstances, the coach has acceded to the request of the player. Anthony Martial left Clairefontaine on Monday at 12:00. He will return on Tuesday morning."

French Football Federation allow Anthony Martial to travel to England to seal Manchester United move

Monaco's young striker Anthony Martial has been given permission by the French FA to leave the national set up to complete a move to Manchester United, with two days left of the transfer window.

French Football Federation allow Anthony Martial to travel to England to seal Manchester United move

Manchester United are close to signing Monaco forward Anthony Martial with the French Football Federation giving him permission to travel to Manchester to seal a move.

France allow Martial to leave to sign United contract

The FFF released a statement on their website saying that "Anthony Martial was present at the gathering of the France team at 11:00 at Clairefontaine" however "he requested that Didier Deschamps [manager] give him permission to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United."

"Given the exceptional circumstances" Deschamps "has allowed the request of the player."

The statement says that "Martial left Clairefontaine on Monday at 12:00" and will "return on Tuesday morning."

Martial, just 19 years old, has been at Monaco since 2013, signing from Lyon. This call-up to the French national side is his first and his day will only get better if the deal to sign for United goes through.

19-year-old striker set to sign for Manchester United

United signing Martial opens the door for Mexican striker Javier Hernandez to leave the club, with Bayer Leverkusen the club linked with a £12million move.

Martial scored nine gals in Ligue 1 last season and made three assists in 35 appearances, coming on as a sub 16 times. He's relatively unheard of in England but the hype will rise soon as he looks set to join United.

Martial will be United's sixth signing of the summer, having completed early deals for Sergio Romero, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matteo Darmian and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Martial provides striking option, with Hernandez set to go

The Frenchman will be a welcome arrival, with United struggling for goals in the league, scoring just three goals in the four opening games. However, it must be remembered that Martial is just nineteen and isn't going to have the huge impact that many have called out for when wanting a player like Thomas Muller.

Martial will need time to settle into the Premier League and then develop as a player but he provides another striking option, with United having been desperate for other options aside from Wayne Rooney, yet to score a league goal.