Anthony Martial's transfer fee could reach £58M, AS Monaco VP says
The transfer fee Manchester United paid AS Monaco for Anthony Martial looks destined to rise by more than £20 million.
Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev acknowledged that the initial fee of £36 million could increase to close to £58 million if certain clauses in the agreement are achieved.
"It's true that the price for Martial is £57.6 million but take into account this sum includes bonuses which are very realistic," Vasilyev revealed to The Sun.
The added conditions in the agreement may have been necessary to complete the move, as Vasilyev said the club had no intention of letting the 19-year-old forward leave until United altered its offer on several occasions.
"Initially Martial was not for sale, it was absolutely not planned. Since last week United started to make offers which we declined several times - £21.6 million, £28.8 million, £36 million, even £50.4 million with bonuses.
"On Sunday the player got such an offer that he couldn't have declined. He asked us to find a solution and on Monday morning Manchester United made an offer to Monaco which the club couldn't refuse.
"It's absolutely unique. It's the price of Luis Suarez or Neymar - the best players in the world."
The fee United paid is roughly the same figure Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger referenced while attempting to defend his team's transfer policy by pointing out the massive fees paid to players who are less than elite.
"... Martial scored 11 goals in the French championship - that sums it up well," Wenger said.
- With h/t to Sky Sports