Anthony Martial

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Anthony Martial

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Monaco’s Anthony Martial in a deal poised to make the 19-year-old French forward the most expensive teenager in history. Although a final fee has not been confirmed, previous reports placing Monaco’s price at £36 million would be a new world record for player under 20 years old.

United confirmed the move via the club’s Twitter account, announcing the 12-time France under-21 international had signed a four-year contract with the club. Martial had previously been linked to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

SEE MORE: Up-to-the-minute transfer deadline deals.

Martial, a product of the Olympique Lyonnais youth system, moved to Monaco for €5 million in the summer of 2013. Entering the final year of his contract, the Massy-born forward is com,ing off his first season of regular appearances with the club, having made 46 appearances and scored 12 goals in all competitions while helping Monaco to a third place finish.

United’s interest in Martial emerged in the wake of their failure to capture Pedro Rodriguez from Barcelona. With the Spanish international instead moving to Chelsea, and with Javier Hernandez sold to Bayer Leverkusen, United was left with only Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini as striker options among manager Louis van Gaal’s senior squad.

SEE MORE: David de Gea deal falls apart.

Martial, a central attacker with the ability to play either flank, had appeared in five of Monaco’s six matches this season, including two appearances against Valencia in the club’s UEFA Champions League playoff. In 382 minutes, Martial had registered one assist while failing to score.

The French attacker’s signing comes one day after a series of departure from Old Trafford, including Hernandez’s (Bayer), Adnan Januzaj (loan to Borussia Dortmund) and Anders Lindegaard (West Brom). Jonny Evans (West Brom) and Tyler Blackett (loan to Celtic) have also left within the last week, while David de Gea’s move to Real Madrid was unable to be completed before Spain’s transfer deadline.

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