Anthony Martial released from French squad to complete move

Monaco forward Anthony Martial is poised to join Manchester United after being allowed to leave the France training camp to sign his contract on deadline day, the French federation said on Monday.

"He asked Didier Deschamps the authorisation to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United. Given the exceptional circumstances, the coach has granted that authorisation to the player," the FFF said in a statement.

British media reported that United have offered £36 million for the 19-year-old, who scored nine goals in 35 Ligue 1 appearances last season.

Martial had only signed a new contract with Monaco in June but the size of the fee might explain why the club were prepared to sell him. After he signed the new deal, Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev declared Martial as “untransferable” — Tottenham had also shown interest in the player.

Vasilyev said then: “He was being contacted by some of Europe’s biggest clubs but we wanted to make sure that he continues his development with AS Monaco. What Anthony has been able to achieve at just 19 years of age is impressive, to say the least, but the best is yet to come.”

The uncapped Martial, a former Lyon player was called up by Deschamps for friendlies against Portugal in Lisbon and Serbia in Bordeaux.

Martial is due to return to Clairefontaine on Tuesday morning, the FFF added.

The impending arrival looks to coincide with the departure of United’s Mexico striker Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, who was pictured by German newspaper Bild arriving at Bayer Leverkusen ahead of a proposed permanent move.

Hernandez, who was on loan at Real Madrid last season, is expected to sign a three-year contract.

Meanwhile, reports in Ruhr Nachrichten say Borussia Dortmund are preparing to sign United’s Belgium midfielder Adnan Januzaj on loan.

Elsewhere and Liverpool striker Fabio Borinio looks set to join Sunderland, the club he enjoyed a spell on loan with two season’s ago, for £10million.