Transfer Centre

Chelsea 'want Anthony Martial as Eden Hazard replacement'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 22 July 2018

Chelsea 'eye Martial as Hazard replacement'

Chelsea reportedly identify wantaway Manchester United winger Anthony Martial as a potential replacement for Real Madrid target Eden Hazard this summer.

Chelsea have reportedly identified Manchester United winger Anthony Martial as a potential replacement for Eden Hazard this summer.

New Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is preparing for the possibility of losing Hazard to Real Madrid before next month's transfer deadline, while Willian has also been strongly linked with a move away from the club.

Speculation has been swirling around the future of Martial too, with the 22-year-old keen to leave United due to a lack of first-team football under manager Jose Mourinho.

The Times claims that Chelsea have already set the wheels in motion to make an approach for Martial, although they would reportedly be unwilling to meet United's £90m valuation of the attacker.

Martial has just one year remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, although United are expected to trigger a one-year extension in his deal to prevent the France international from leaving on a free transfer next summer.

Martial's lack of starting opportunities last term contributed to his omission from France's World Cup squad, leaving him to watch on as Didier Deschamps's side lifted the trophy in Russia.