OPINION
West Ham United have been surprisingly linked with Manchester United attacker Anthony Martial, and Manuel Pellegrini must pull out all the stops to sign the youngster in what would be the deal of the summer.
As reported by Hammers news site Claret and Hugh, the club are set to keep tabs on the 22-year-old following his agent’s admission that he will look to leave Old Trafford this summer.
It is said that speculation linking Hammers star Marko Arnautovic to the Red Devils could see the Irons demand Martial as part of a player-plus-cash swap deal.
That turn of events would make sense, with the club needing to replace Arnautovic with a quality signing if he should go, but the Hammers should pursue Martial even if that does not happen.
The young France international is one of Europe’s top young talents, and he has been criminally under-utilised by United boss Jose Mourinho over the last season.
The pace and penetration which Martial would bring to West Ham on the wings is crucial if they want to mount a sustained challenge in the top half of the table next season, and they must move to bring him in this summer.
The club are lacking any real out-and-out wingers, with Michail Antonio and Arthur Masuaku the closest the club currently have to that.
Martial would therefore bring a new dimension to the Hammers attack, while also providing cover up front should Pellegrini require it.
A deal not involving Arnautovic would be costly, but Martial has the potential to go on and become a key player for the club in the next few years, and any potential deal is therefore worth it.
And now, with the door firmly open for the club to make a move, Pellegrini must launch a swift and incisive effort to lure the 22-year-old to the London Stadium and complete the deal of the summer in the Premier League transfer window.
