It has been revealed by the Sunday Times [via Daily Express], that Chelsea matched Manchester United‘s £36 million bid for Anthony Martial.
However, AS Monaco turned the Blues down as they had already agreed a deal with the Red Devils. A fee of £36 million was negotiated with the Old Trafford outfit, which could rise to £58 million if various clauses are fulfilled. The huge price is a major boost for the principality-based side, who have become used to selling their best players in recent years.
With the forward only 19-years-old, this fee puts huge pressure on his shoulders to perform immediately. Last season he scored ten goals in 44 appearances, and he will be expected to vastly improve that in a more difficult league this time round.
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However, the fact that the Stamford Bridge team were also willing to pay so much for the striker means that it may not be as outlandish a figure as first thought. The revelation should also give the player, who made his debut for France against Portugal on Friday, the confidence needed to be a success in the Premier League.