Manchester United 'to use Anthony Martial as makeweight in Darwin Nunez move'

Manchester United are reportedly hopeful that offering Anthony Martial to Benfica will allow them to bring the Portuguese club's asking price for Darwin Nunez down.

Nunez is thought to be Man United's number one centre-forward target this summer, with the Red Devils looking to bring in a striker to complement Cristiano Ronaldo next term.

The Uruguay international enjoyed a strong 2021-22 campaign for Benfica, scoring 34 goals and registering four assists in 41 appearances in all competitions.

In total, Nunez has found the back of the net on 47 occasions in 84 appearances for his Portuguese club since arriving from Spanish outfit Almeria in September 2020, in addition to contributing 16 assists.

However, a recent report claimed that Man United could be priced out of a deal for the South American, with Benfica valuing him in the region of £100m due to his form this term.

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The 22-year-old still has more than three years left to run on his contract in Portugal, while a number of other clubs, including Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona, are said to be admirers.

According to journalist Ekrem Konur, Man United are keen to bring the forward to Old Trafford this summer and are ready to use Martial as a makeweight.

Konur claims that the 20-time English champions will offer the Reds a transfer fee plus Martial in the hope of securing his signature in the upcoming market.

Martial was allowed to join Sevilla on loan in January after struggling for regular starts in the first half of the 2021-22 campaign.

The 26-year-old found it difficult to make his mark at Estadio Ramon, though, managing just one goal and one assist in 12 appearances, and the Spanish outfit will not be signing him on a permanent deal.

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The France international still has two years left to run on his contract at Old Trafford, though, and he has scored 79 goals and registered 50 assists in 269 appearances for the Red Devils since arriving from Monaco in 2015.

Martial's most productive campaign at Man United came during the 2019-20 season, when he found the back of the net on 23 occasions in 48 appearances in all competitions.

The Frenchman only managed four Premier League goals last season, though, while his record for the 20-time English champions this term is one goal in 11 appearances.

New Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has allegedly not yet made a decision on Martial's future, with the attacker potentially being involved in the team's pre-season preparations.

Man United could have around £120m to spend on new signings this summer, and the club are also said to want a centre-back and central midfielder to boost a squad that finished sixth in the 2021-22 Premier League.