To be honest, this would make almost too much sense.
Anthony Martial’s time at Manchester United looks set to be coming to an end this summer after a turbulent (to say the least) pre-season. He has been fined £180,000 for leaving the team’s training camp in the US to return back to Manchester for the birth of his second child and reportedly, he did not report to training despite being back in the city. His relationship with Mourinho now appears irreparable.
Alderweireld, meanwhile, has long been rumoured to be edging for a move from White Hart Lane, sorry, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in pursuit of wages that Daniel Levy is simply not willing to offer the Belgian international. Man United have long been linked with the defender and on Tuesday pictures ‘leaked’ of him and Chelsea winger Willian in the Red Devils’ new kit for the season.
They were, of course, immediately debunked, but it did add more fuel to the fire.
Now according to The Times, both players are 90% likely (or 9 stars out of 10 likely) to leave their respective clubs before the transfer window ends on August 9.
For Martial, both Spurs and Bayern Munich are said to be interested, and it is worth noting that the Bundesliga window will last far longer than for Premier League clubs, giving them an advantage should time run out for Tottenham to complete a deal. The Times believes that Mourinho will now allow the player to leave, but will prefer him to go abroad than join a Premier League rival.
Alderweireld appears to have no other suitors other than Mourinho, who was heavily linked to the player after he became disgruntled during last season’s campaign after his wage demands weren’t met during negotiations for a new contract. He currently has one year left on his existing deal, but it does contain a two-year extension option.
However, the same stipulation means Alderweireld has a release clause for £25.4 million that can be triggered before the last two weeks transfer window next summer.
With only a week to go before the transfer window ever so gently winds shut, it will be interesting to see if either of the moves actually manages to get over the line. On the surface, both would appear to suit the needs of each team but it’s never usually as simple as that.
Especially with Mourinho involved.
