Manchester United will have to pay Monaco £8m when Anthony Martial scores four more goals
Why French striker's return to form has the Old Trafford money men twitching
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THE Old Trafford faithful were on their feet as Anthony Martial scored his third and fourth goals of the season against West Ham.
His brace, along with two from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, fired Manchester United to a 4-1 victory over the Hammers and into the last four of the EFL Cup.
But not everyone at the club will have been in a celebratory mood as the net bulged.
The money men were no doubt wincing as the French striker returned to form in front of goal.
And that could mean that Martial’s former club will shortly be set to receive a huge payment from the Red Devils.
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In fact, should the star be at the start of a purple patch, then it could end up costing United £8.4million.
The Premier League giants splashed out £36m last year to bring the 20-year-old to Old Trafford.
That fee easily made him the world’s most-expensive teenager, even without additional payments.
But as part of that deal, United will have to pay a further £8.4m when Martial reaches 25 goals for the club.
His double last night took him to four for the season. And after the 17 he bagged during his impressive first campaign at the club, he now sits just four away from triggering the payment.
According to a leaked contract published soon after his arrival, the goals include the EFL Cup and Europa League, in which three of his four goals this campaign have come from.
Additionally, a further £8.4m will also be owed once he reaches 25 caps for France.
Despite his young age, the forward has already appeared 15 times for his country.
That means that United will almost certainly end up paying at least £16m in add-ons for the ace.
And that could still rise even further due yet more clauses in the complex deal.
Another payment will be due to the Ligue 1 club from United should Martial receive a nomination for the Ballon d’Or in the future.
And the current exchange rate is certainly not helping.
Due to the pound rate dropping since Brexit, in the current climate, the deal could end up costing United a staggering £61m in total.
Martial will be hoping for another opportunity to add to his goal tally when United travel to Everton on Sunday afternoon.
He will have to wait a little longer for his next international appearance. France will not be back in action until March when they face Luxembourg.
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