FC Barcelona transfer rumour update- Gelson Martins and Anthony Martial
The agent of Portuguese wonderkid Gelson Martins has stated he will not be leaving this January
Reputed agent of rising Portuguese talent Gelson Martins Ulisses Santos gave an interview to AS explaining his client’s situation. He said, “He is a Sporting player and will continue to be in January. There are no offers. With all certainty, he will remain. He has a long-term contract and will not leave. We are negotiating [with the club ,i.e, Sporting CP] and we will see what happens. The atmosphere is good and I’m certain we will reach a good understanding.”
More from FC Barcelona News
- Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
- FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
- FC Barcelona tracking 20-year-old goal machine
- Lamine Yamal’s involvement causing tension at FC Barcelona
- How can Xavi unlock Joao Felix for FC Barcelona?
This is not just a blow to Barcelona, but also to other clubs too. Manchester United and Real Madrid both think of Martins as the next Cristiano Ronaldo and are eyeing his signature. But the commitment shown by Martins to his boyhood club is commendable. He is resisting the temptation to join a bigger club and get an improved wage package.
Anthony Martial is looking for a way out of Old Trafford after his fall from grace in Mourinho’s reign and Barcelona may look to oblige him despite strong competition from Paris Saint-Germain
The young Frenchman enjoyed a fairy-tale start to life at the Old Trafford. After a €50 million move from Monaco, he impressed Louis Van Gaal and cemented his place in the first-team with solid performances. But under the Dutchman’s successor Jose Mourinho, he has been brought back to earth. Mourinho high-pressing tactics and direct passing style hasn’t suited Martial. He has scored just 6 scored in 24 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils this season and it has cost him his place in the first-team. So, now he is looking for a way out of Manchester United and two of the best clubs in the world are locking horns yet again to oblige him in a €71 million battle.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have both expressed interest in Anthony Martial. Florentino Perez is looking to add another Galactico to his ranks while Robert is also looking for a luxury signing.
Advantages and disadvantages of both clubs
Real Madrid have a transfer ban till the winter of 2018 but they have James Rodriguez. United have held interest in the Colombian for a long time and they have shown their will to materialize this interest. If Real agree to trade their expensive signing, United may hold to Martial just a while longer to get Rodriguez.
More from FC Barcelona News
- Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
- FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
- FC Barcelona tracking 20-year-old goal machine
- Lamine Yamal’s involvement causing tension at FC Barcelona
- How can Xavi unlock Joao Felix for FC Barcelona?
But the advantage for Barca is that ‘while’ will be almost a year. Martial would not stay at a club where he is unhappy and is not getting playing time. He could cause quite a ruckus at Old Trafford, allowing Barca to swoop in and secure his signing. But the disadvantage for Barcelona would be accommodating the Frenchman withing the squad. Martial plays as LW and Neymar already has a capable backup in that position in Arda Turan. He would not want to leave a club for lack of playing time for another club where he would face the same problem. But he might be brought in as a replacement for Paco Alcacer, who hasn’t done well. But that would mean selling Alcacer, which poses another problem as he is a new signing. We have to wait and see if Robert has any interest in signing the Frenchman.