Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has claimed that Manchester United nearly trebled the value of their offer for Anthony Martial within the space of a week, and has confirmed that the total fee could 'realistically' reach nearly £58m.
Martial became the most expensive teenager in the history of football after completing a move to Old Trafford on deadline day for an initial fee reported to be £36m.
However, after Vasilyev said that United had made "an incredible offer" for the 19-year-old, he has now revealed that the total value of the deal could reach £57.6m.
"It is true that the price for Martial is £57.6m, but take into account that this sum includes bonuses which are very realistic," he is quoted as saying by The Sun.
"Initially Martial was not for sale, it was absolutely not planned. Since last week United started to make offers which we declined several times – £21.6m, £28.8m, £36m, even £50.4m with bonuses.
"On Sunday the player got such an offer that he could not have declined. He asked us to find a solution and on Monday morning Manchester United made an offer to Monaco which the club could not refuse. It is absolutely unique. It is the price of Luis Suarez or Neymar – the best players in the world."
Martial himself has insisted that he will not feel the pressure of his record-breaking price tag.
Tom Nightingale
