Monaco's Anthony Martial set for £36-million move to Manchester United
The France Football Federation (FFF) confirmed Monday that Anthony Martial is on the verge of becoming Manchester United's latest summer signing.
The 19-year-old is expected to complete a transfer to Old Trafford after being granted permission to leave the French national team in an effort to complete his move from AS Monaco to United.
"Anthony Martial was presented Monday at 11:00 at the gathering of the France team at Clairefontaine. He requested from Didier Deschamps permission to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United," the FFF said in a statement.
"Given the exceptional circumstances, the coach has acceded to the request of the player. Anthony Martial left Clairefontaine Monday at 12:00. He will return on Tuesday morning."
Martial's move to England is expected to cost United £36 million, making the young forward the world's most expensive teenager, according to Mark Ogden of The Telegraph – exactly 11 years after the club set the same record when it signed Wayne Rooney, who was 18 years old, from Everton for £25.6 million.
He will also become the team's most expensive signing of the summer and its third most lucrative transfer behind Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata.
The transfer also appears to be a product of Monaco's failure to reach the Champions League, as the French side reportedly had no interest in selling Martial until it was eliminated from the final play-off round by Valencia.
Martial, who has been compared to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, recorded 13 goals in 60 matches for Monaco following his move from Lyon in 2013.
- With translation from ESPNFC