Anthony Martial turned down a move to Chelsea

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial turned down a move to Chelsea at the end of the transfer window.

The French teenager moved to Old Trafford for an initial £36million on deadline day and has enjoyed a fine start, scoring four goals in his first six games.

Eyebrows were raised when United splashed the cash on Martial but they were not the only Premier League side in for him, as Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev claimed this week.

Chelsea were keen to agree a deal for the 19-year-old striker, which would see him remain with Monaco for the rest of the season.

“There was another club that offered even more than United,” Vasilyev said.

“I will not say how much, but the fixed price, without variables, it was even better. And also they offered us to have him for a further year in Monaco.

“But the boy wanted to go to Manchester, it was his dream. And we let him go with the bonus of €30m. Had it not been for so much money, he’d have stayed.”

Last week, Arsene Wenger claimed Monaco told him Martial was not for sale during the summer.

The Gunners boss did not submit an offer and admits he didn't think the Ligue 1 club would risk losing one of their hottest prospects.

"I was surprised they sold him," Wenger said.

"The amount of money was massive. I believe that you could think that, if you are Monaco, you could have sold him as well next season."

 

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