Former Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has been linked with a surprise transfer, but a deal is reportedly being held up by his wage demands.
Martial was released by Man United when his contract came to an end at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
The Frenchman, who joined the Red Devils for an initial £36million rising to £58m back in 2015, eventually moved to Greek Super League side AEK Athens on a free transfer last September.
Martial was reported to have signed the biggest contract in the club’s history when he put pen to paper last year.
He made 23 appearances for the club last season, scoring nine goals and providing two assists, as they eventually finished fourth to qualify for the Conference League.
Martial’s time at the club appears to be over having been left out of AEK Athens squad for their last six matches.
Former Man United forward Anthony Martial has been linked with a surprise move to Mexico
Martial is currently contracted to Greek side AEK Athens but has been targeted by Pumas
According to journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, Martial been targeted by Mexican side Pumas with the Liga MX club hoping to tie up a deal ahead of their transfer deadline on Friday.
Martial’s salary reportedly the main obstacle in a deal being agreed, with the forward claimed to be refusing to lower his wage demands.
‘AEK is willing to loan him to Pumas free of charge (they should only pay his salary), but Martial earns a gigantic salary, gigantic,’ Merlo said on his YouTube channel.
‘They’ve been talking to him for three or four days, but the player still hasn’t given in to his demands.
‘I’m not ruling him out 100 percent, but if he hasn’t budged in four days, I don’t see it being easy for him to move today.
‘The reality is that Pumas is trying to get Martial, but the player doesn’t want to budge even a euro.
‘For now, neither Martial nor his agent have budged. If they do, there may be a chance, but we’ll have to wait and see.’
Pumas had reportedly also targeted San Jose Earthquakes forward Chicho Arango, but Martial is considered to be a more likely option ahead of their deadline.
Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey joined the Mexican club this summer
Should Martial move to the Mexican side, he would join a former Premier League rival with ex-Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey among their current squad.
Pumas’ ranks also include former PSG and Real Madrid star Keylor Navas.
The club are currently 17 matches into the regular phase of their league season and lie fourth in the table.
