Anthony Martial Set To Join Man. United From Monaco

Manchester United are set to make Anthony Martial the most expensive teenager in history by signing him from Monaco.

Sky sources understand United will pay Monaco an initial £36m for the 19-year-old forward, who has been given permission to leave the France squad to travel to Manchester.

Martial will arrive in Manchester on Monday and return to France on Tuesday morning after France coach Didier Deschamps agreed to his request due to the "exceptional circumstances".

In a statement, the French Football Federation said: "He asked Didier Deschamps for the authorisation to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United. Given the exceptional circumstances, the coach has granted that authorisation to the player."

According to reports, Chelsea and Tottenham were interested in Martial earlier this summer, but United seemed to have secured his signature following a second bid.

Martial had only signed a new contract with Monaco in June but the size of the fee, which is expected to rise with add-ons, might explain why the club were prepared to sell him.

After he signed the new deal, Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev declared Martial as "untransferable".

Vasilyev said then: "He was being contacted by some of Europe's biggest clubs but we wanted to make sure that he continues his development with AS Monaco. What Anthony has been able to achieve at just 19 years of age is impressive, to say the least, but the best is yet to come."

The France Under-21 striker, who according to Le Parisien has already agreed personal terms with United, scored nine times for Monaco last season but has yet to find the target this term.

Martial came through the youth system with Lyon before moving to Monaco, scoring 32 goals in 21 games during his second season in the U17 side.

The uncapped Martial was called up by Deschamps for friendlies against Portugal in Lisbon and Serbia in Bordeaux.

United have scored only three goals in the Premier League so far this season and are keen to add to their strike force.

Wayne Rooney ended his 878-minute goal drought with a hat-trick in the Champions League last week but has yet to score in the league this campaign.

Credit: Skysports.com