According to The Sunday Times, both Bayern Munich and Chelsea are interested in signing Manchester United’s Anthony Martial this summer.

Anthony Martial has been unsettled at Old Trafford for a while now, frustrated with the lack of game time and opportunities he has been getting under Jose Mourinho. Now, it looks as though a departure from the club is on the cards for the 22-year-old this summer.

Whilst that would likely be the wisest career move for the Frenchman, it would still leave the Red Devils with the task of finding and signing his replacement.

With Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford already competing for the wide forward berths, this squad space would best be given to someone who wouldn’t be expecting to start every game, but could still have an impact when called upon.

Bringing in a talented youngster now, who can grow into being a first team stalwart in a couple of seasons, would be a smart move on Mourinho’s part.

The Breakdown

That youngster should be Leon Bailey. 

The 20-year-old is currently plying his trade with Bayer Leverkusen, and has just enjoyed a stunning breakout campaign in the Bundesliga. Last season, the young Jamaican found the net 12 times, and laid on 6 assists, in all competitions. 

Despite his success last time out, Bailey wouldn’t arrive at Old Trafford expecting to be an immediate starter. However, there’s a good chance that he’d be able to avoid many of the frustrations that look to have spoiled Martial’s Manchester United career.

For instance, Martial often played out wide for United, however, his best position is through the middle. Bailey is an out and out winger though, so he wouldn’t feel misused when being played on the flanks by Mourinho.

Transfermarkt value Bailey at £40.5 million, so it will take some big spending on United’s part to bring him to the Premier League. The entire cost of Bailey though, and more, would almost certainly be recouped from the sale of Martial. In which case, Bailey is both a tremendously exciting, and cost effective, way of replacing the outbound Frenchman.