Anthony Martial, the 30‑year‑old ex‑Paris Saint‑Germain forward, has been the subject of renewed transfer chatter as his contract situation at Manchester United draws to a close. While his name has floated around a handful of clubs, only one top‑flight French side has officially shown interest.
Only Auxerre Has Made an Approach
According to L’Équipe, as reported by Get French Football News, “Auxerre only Ligue 1 side to make Anthony Martial approach — Anthony Martial’s (30) future is expected to be decided next week.” The French daily adds that the move to Ligue 1 is not expected to materialise. Yahoo Sports repeats the same point, confirming that Auxerre remains the sole Ligue 1 club to have put a bid on the table. Sky Sports also lists the approach among its live transfer updates, but stresses that the club’s interest is still in the exploratory stage.
"Auxerre only Ligue 1 side to make Anthony Martial approach — Anthony Martial’s (30) future is expected to be decided next week, L’Équipe understands. The Frenchman will not be making the move to Ligue 1, however."
Other media outlets have reported alternative destinations for the free‑agent forward – Lorient, Málaga and even a possible return to the Premier League – but none have been linked to a concrete offer. The consensus among the sources is that Martial’s next step remains uncertain, with the final decision likely to be taken in the coming week.
Martial’s Profile and Market Value
Martial arrived at Old Trafford in 2015 for a reported £36 million fee, having impressed at Monaco and PSG. At his peak in 2017, his market value surged to roughly €60 million, reflecting a season in which he scored 17 Premier League goals and helped United finish second. Over the last two seasons his output has dwindled, and his current valuation on Transfermarkt sits around €5‑7 million – a stark contrast to his former highs.
His contract with United expires at the end of June 2024, meaning he could leave on a free transfer if a new deal is not secured. The lack of a disclosed fee for any potential move to Auxerre aligns with his free‑agent status, though a nominal compensation clause could still apply.
Is an Auxerre Deal Viable?
If Auxerre were to secure Martial, the financial outlay would be modest compared with his peak valuation, but it would still represent a sizable commitment for a club that typically operates on a modest budget. Given that the French side is not expected to finalise the transfer, the rumored fee – if any – would likely be a token amount, perhaps covering a small sell‑on clause or a training compensation fee.
From a sporting perspective, Martial could offer experience and a proven goal‑scoring pedigree to a side fighting to stay clear of relegation. However, his recent injury record and limited minutes in the last campaign raise questions about whether he can deliver the required impact in a physically demanding Ligue 1 environment.
In summary, while Auxerre’s approach adds an interesting twist to Martial’s exit narrative, the likelihood of the deal progressing appears low. The striker’s future will probably be decided by United’s willingness to part ways and the attractiveness of any alternative offer that may surface in the final week of the transfer window.
Reliability: 2/5. The claim rests on a single report from L’Équipe, echoed by Get French Football News, Yahoo Sports and Sky Sports, but no official club statements have emerged, making the rumour tentative at best.
