Arsene Wenger 'passed up' move for Anthony Martial, says agent
Friday 25 September 2015 12:24, UK
Anthony Martial's agent says Arsene Wenger passed up the chance to sign the teenager because he saw him as a winger rather than a centre-forward.
Philippe Lamboley, the man who brokered the 19-year-old's record move to Manchester United last month, made the claim after the striker scored four goals in his first three games at Old Trafford.
Martial moved from Monaco for a fee of £36m and that could rise to as much as £58m depending on his progress.
So far he has impressed, averaging a goal every 56 minutes in his appearances against Liverpool, Southampton and Ipswich.
Martial has made such an impact in his first weeks in England he already stands on the brink of breaking several scoring records at United.
Arsenal manager Wenger has previously claimed to know all about the player after tracking him from a young age.
Despite that, he has never made a move for his countryman and his lack of ruthlessness in that respect has shocked Lamboley.
He said: "Anthony is a true modern centre-forward who can play a part. I am surprised by the analysis of Arsene Wenger, who has apparently been following him since he was a teenager.
"If the analysis Arsene Wenger has made is in order to justify not having signed Anthony, I accept he is a winger. But in football, there are those who follow players and those who buy them."
