Transfer Talk: Martial set to exit Man Utd, join Fenerbahce،
The winter transfer window is now open in Europe, and there are plenty of moves being made and plenty of gossip swirling. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumors, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Martial set to leave Man United
Sky Sports believes in Manchester United striker Antoine Martial's time at the club “comes to an end” in January, with Fenerbahce currently favorites to sign the Frenchman either on loan or on a permanent deal.
The 28-year-old is entering the final six months of his contract at United, and although the Reds have the option to extend it for a further year, it does not appear he will feature in manager Erik's long-term plans ten Hag. .
The Reds boss suggested earlier this week that discussions over an extension were underway, but it now appears such talks would allow United to protect their investment and avoid losing Martial for nothing this summer. The club could consider triggering his extension then letting him go on loan, with a view to a permanent departure.
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Fenerbahce would prefer to sign Martial on a permanent deal in January and hope to get away with a low offer given Martial is out of contract in six months and the two clubs have a good relationship. The Turkish club already submitted a £6.8million bid earlier this week.
Martial joined United in 2015 from AS Monaco, and he has scored 90 goals and added 55 assists in 317 appearances for the Red Devils.
Inter Milan and West Ham United have also expressed interest in the French striker.
Paper gossip
– Tottenham Hotspur scouts keeping close tabs on rising Blackburn Rovers star Adam Wharton, according to Football Insider. The 19-year-old has been monitored on several occasions, with Crystal Palace and Everton also reportedly expressing interest in the highly-rated midfielder. Spurs believe Wharton, an England U20 international, is a star in the making, but they may have to part with a significant fee after Wharton recently signed a contract extension that would keep him at Ewood Park until 2028 .Wharton is versatile and can play. anywhere in midfield, and he is already closing in on his 50th appearance for the Championship club.
– Although he is under contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2027, the striker Hugo Ekitike could move on to pastures new in the January transfer window, if Wolfsburg and Wolverhampton Wanderers get their results. This is according to French media outlet L'Equipe, who believe the 21-year-old is set to move across Europe. Wolfsburg has already moved closer to Parisians over a loan deal with an option for a permanent deal, while Wolves have also asked the French club over a similar situation. Ekitike has not featured for PSG since the opening day of the season, and he is said to be out of favor with the club's management after refusing to consider a move to Eintracht Frankfurt who saw Randal Kolo Muani move in the opposite direction.
– Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen is expected to travel to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday after a verbal agreement was reached between the two clubs earlier today, reports Fabrizio Romano. The 21-year-old will join Dortmund on loan after completing his medical, scheduled for Wednesday, with the German club covering his salary during his stay. The Dutchman turned down a permanent move to Burnley this summer after helping the Clarets win the Championship, playing 39 games, scoring four goals and setting up six more. The Blues will hope he gets plenty of playing time in the Bundesliga.
– Although it is widely expected that the defender Radu Dragousine will join Tottenham Hotspur from Genoa in January, Sky Sports Germany report that Bayern Munich have not given up hope of signing the 21-year-old central defender. Spurs and Genoa are reportedly close to agreeing a €25m transfer fee plus add-ons, but Bayern remain in the race. Although the German giants have yet to submit an official application or reach a verbal agreement with the club or player, sporting director Christoph Freund remains in contact with all parties and is monitoring the situation.
– Renato Sanches is currently on loan to Roma from Paris Saint-Germain, but Olympiacos and Beskitas are both reportedly checking his situation, reports Ekrem Konur. The report states that Sanches' move to Italy has not gone well, with manager Jose Mourinho questioning the 26-year-old's fitness and the Portuguese player still attracting interest from other clubs. Roma's current deal means they have a purchase option, which would be triggered if Sanches plays in 55% of the club's matches throughout the season. This remains very unlikely, given his current form.
