Man Utd 'eyeing up £86m replacement for Anthony Martial' as Sir Jim Ratcliffe plots January transfer business

Manchester United are eyeing up an £86m replacement for Anthony Martial, according to reports in Spain.

The Frenchman's contract at United runs out next summer and isn't likely to be renewed bringing an end to his nine year spell at Old Trafford.

Martial arrived bursting with potential and became an instant hit with a debut goal off the bench against arch rivals Liverpool back in 2015.

He arrived in Manchester as the world's most expensive teenager with a clause for winning the Ballon d'Or in his contract, but ultimately he has failed to live up to expectations.

Now United are plotting a move for his replacement and reports in Spain suggest they are eyeing up Atheltic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

The 21-year-old is a product of the Basque club's famed youth setup and recently signed a new contract until 2028.

However, this has put United off and the Red Devils could make a huge offer of £86m in the hope of tempting the player to the Premier League.

One thing United need to do before they can fork out such a huge sum to sign Williams is sell. The club are reportedly on the limit of the Premier League's financial fair play rules having spent heavily in the summer signing Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount.

The imminent arrival of new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe will certainly help their cause, but an expensive move for Williams will be tricky in January unless they offload players and generate revenue.

United are reportedly interested in Nico Williams (Image: Getty)

It was recently reported that United's transfer chief John Murtough has made a trip to Saudi Arabia in the hope of selling players in a bid to raise funds.

One of those is Jadon Sancho who has been frozen out of the first-team squad and placed on the transfer list following a falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.

United will be hoping they can sell him as quickly as possible, but it's likely Saudi clubs will wait until the summer before splashing the cash once again.

So Ten Hag will likely have to make do with the players currently at his disposal.

Topics: Anthony Martial, Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Premier League, Transfers, Athletic Bilbao, La Liga

Will Evans

Sports journalist with experience writing for local and national titles.

@WillEvo20