Man United is set to make Anthony Martial their sixth signing of the summer after the striker was given permission to leave France’s national team to sign a contract with the Premier League club.
The Monaco striker, who scored eight goals in 31 Ligue 1 matches last season, has been linked with the Red Devils and Arsenal in recent days but Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Swansea appears to have prompted the former to move swiftly for his signature.
Martial, 19, was allowed to travel from France squad’s training base in Clairefontaine on Monday, with the confirmation of the deal expected in the coming hours.
“Anthony Martial asked France coach Didier Deschamps for permission to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United,” a statement from the French Football Federation confirmed.
“Given the exceptional circumstances, the coach has acceded to the request of the player.”
The former French youth international, who was called up to the senior national team for the first time on 28 August, is expected back in France on Tuesday.
He recently agreed a one-year extension to his previous deal, which was expected to take his contract up to 2019.
The deal is reportedly going to cost United £36m – which is their third most expensive signing after £59.7m for Angel Di Maria and ¥37.1m for Juan Mata.
Sunday’s loss to Swansea was Man Utd’s first in the league this season and leaves them five points behind leaders Manchester City.
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