Transfer News: Manchester United star Anthony Martial on Inter Milan shortlist

Manchester United star Anthony Martial is reportedly on Inter Milan’s four-man shortlist to replace Lautaro Martinez if he leaves in the summer.

According to a report from Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan have identified Manchester United striker Anthony Martial as a potential candidate to replace Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez at the club.

Martinez has been in fine form in 2019-20, bagging 16 goals and 4 assists in 31 matches across all competitions. The 22-year-old’s exploits with Inter Milan have put him firmly on the radars of La Liga champions Barcelona, who are eyeing an attacking revamp at Camp Nou this summer.

While Inter are considering the possibility of swapping Antoine Griezmann for Martinez, the Nerazzurri are understood to be readying a succession plan for the Argentine. To that end, Antonio Conte’s side have prepared a four-man shortlist of candidates who could possibly replace Martinez, with Anthony Martial being one among them.

This is not the first time Inter Milan have been linked with the 24-year-old. The Serie A heavyweights were interested in signing the France international last summer as well, according to the aforementioned report, even though they ended up signing Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United.

Martial has been with Manchester United for over four years now, having arrived at the club in 2015. After a fine debut campaign under then manager Louis van Gaal, the next couple of seasons were blighted with inconsistencies under Jose Mourinho.

Martial seems to have found his mojo back under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer though and has been a pivotal player for Manchester United in the 2019-20 season. The 24-year-old has stepped up into the centre-forward role following Lukaku’s departure and has managed to score 16 goals and set up five more in 34 matches across all competitions.

Martial signed a new contract with the 20-time English champions only a year ago, extending his stay at the club till 2024. Given how pivotal a player he has become under the Norwegian this season, Inter Milan will find it extremely difficult to convince Manchester United to part ways with the Frenchman come summer.

Apart from Martial, Inter Milan are also eyeing RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner, who is also a transfer target for Liverpool and Chelsea. Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic and Lille’s Victor Osimhen are also on the Nerazzurri’s shortlist of candidates to replace Martinez.

With Barcelona facing financial difficulties, it remains to be seen if they end up signing Martinez in the summer. Should that happen, Inter Milan are unlikely to be able to replace him with Martial, given his status at Old Trafford currently.