Manchester United: Red Devils make £36m approach to sign AS Monaco forward Anthony Martial

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Manchester United have opened talks with Ligue 1 club AS Monaco over a £36m ($55.4m) deal to sign striker Anthony Martial. Louis van Gaal has admitted that they will not be forced into panic buys following their loss to Swansea City on Sunday 30 August.

According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are keen to sign the young Frenchman, who is highly rated by the French club. Martial had a breakthrough year last campaign making 42 appearances in all competitions scoring 11 goals.

Van Gaal has been urged to sign a striker, by former United defender Gary Neville, in order to save their season, which started well, but is now faltering in the last two games, which has seen them draw at home to Newcastle United and lose to Swansea.

Moreover, according to the Daily Mail, Javier Hernandez has departed the Red Devils to join Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year contract leaving Wayne Rooney as the only recognised senior striker in the squad. The Dutch manager has admitted that he plans to play Marouane Fellaini more as a striker this season rather than in his primary position in midfield.

Apart from the 20-time English champions, Tottenham and Chelsea have also shown interest in signing the 19-year-old striker this summer. The north London club did make a £19m ($29.2m) offer for the forward, but it was rejected by the French club.

Monaco are not keen to lose their brightest prospect, and will resist any approach from United to sign Martial with Luis Campos making it clear that he is not for sale. But the report claims that talks are set to continue on Monday 31 August, with the transfer window nearing its conclusion.