REVEALED: Man United striker Anthony Martial snubbed moves to Juventus and Barcelona in January in favour of loan to Sevilla with France striker now targeting a goal glut to make their World Cup squad
- Anthony Martial left Manchester United in January to sign for Sevilla on loan
- French striker, 26, has revealed he turned down Juventus and Barcelona interest
- Martial said move to Sevilla was the ‘best option’ to get his career back on track
- Striker wants to rediscover his scoring form to play for France at the World Cup
- But his debut at Osasuna was less than impressive as he was hauled off
Anthony Martial has revealed that Juventus and Barcelona tried to sign him on loan from Manchester United – but the French striker only had eyes for Sevilla.
The 26-year-old forward, who failed to live up to his full potential during six-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford, joined the LaLiga club until the end of the season on January 25.
But Sevilla weren’t the only club interested in signing Martial during the mid-season window, with the striker turning down grander clubs to go there.
Anthony Martial has revealed he turned down interest from Barcelona and Juventus to sign for Sevilla on loan from Manchester United in January
The France striker has signed on loan until the end of the season as he strives to find form
In an interview with Diario de Sevilla, Martial said: ‘Yes, it’s true. Juventus tried to sign me.
‘I talked to my agent and told him that I preferred to go to Sevilla. It was the best option for me and my family.
‘Barcelona spoke with my agent. But, as I said, I spoke to my agent and told him: “My priority is Sevilla.”
‘And when I say something to someone, I don’t change it, I keep my word.’
Martial was finding game time hard to come by at United and had scored just once in 11 outings for United this season prior to joining Sevilla on loan.
Martial had struggled for game time at United, playing only 11 matches this season
That wasn’t enough playing time for Martial, who has ambitions to play for France at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
The player has taken a cut on the £240,000-a-week wages he earned at United in order to secure the loan move.
He added: ‘Both Sevilla and I have made an effort so that I could come. I have less salary, but I also know that paying my salary would be an effort for the club.
‘So we’ve both made an effort. But I know that this effort will be good for both parties.’
Martial is hoping to rediscover his scoring touch to force his way back into the France squad
Martial refused to rule out remaining at Sevilla after his loan, saying ‘in football, you never know’ but his time there began inauspiciously when he was hauled off on his debut.
He looked rusty during the goalless draw with Osasuna and was taken off with 14 minutes of the match remaining.
Sevilla manager Julen has called on Martial to do more following his debut.
‘Anthony has to give us much more,’ Lopetegui said, as quoted by Sevilla’s club website.
‘It was his first game and adaptation is not easy, he has played little this year and he has to get into dynamics and gain minutes and confidence.’
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