Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins.
Portuguese publication Record claim that United scouts were in attendance to watch Martins in action for Sporting when they faced Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Champions League last night.
Sporting are desperate to keep hold of their star man but would be willing to listen to offers for the winger should they receive an astronomical bid for the player.
The 21-year-old has been impressive for Sporting so far this season, having scored two goals and provided three assists in the club’s opening seven games.
Martins’ ability to glide past his opponents with ease, combined with outstanding trickery on the ball, makes him a real talent and one which would undoubtedly strengthen Jose Mourinho’s attacking options out on the flanks.
The flank remains one of Mourinho’s main selection headaches. Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have all been tried and tested by the new United boss but none have had what it takes so far to hold down a regular first team spot. Should Martins make the move to Old Trafford he could be the one who becomes Mourinho’s first choice.
United have been crying out for a world class winger since the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo; a winger who can beat his man with ease, deliver the ball into the box and score goals himself. Martins ticks all of those boxes.
At just 21 years of age, Martins stands out as one of the most-promising young footballers in today’s game. He is a player who is clearly above the level of the rest of his Sporting teammates and is a player who will no doubt be attracting interest from a host of top clubs around Europe, not just Manchester United.
It’s a transfer that makes sense for both parties. For Manchester United it’s the chance to sign one of the most-exciting prospects in Europe, and for Martins it’s the chance to join one of the biggest football clubs in the world, and to take his game onto the next level.
