Still only 19, Anthony Martial has long been hailed as one of the brightest prospects in France despite being a fringe player at Monaco, with former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov being preferred up top.
However, Martial still managed nine goals in 35 Ligue 1 games as he helped Monaco to a third place finish, and Champions League spot once again. Having just completed his most prolific season in professional football, scoring two goals in 11 league appearances in 2013-14, reports are growing that Martial will join fellow countrymen Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Stambouli and Etienne Capoue in the Barclays Premier League.
French outlet France Football claims the former Olympique Lyonnais trainee fits the profile of player Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is looking for this summer. Martial is reportedly ‘seen as a potential new Thierry Henry in the UK’ and expectations will be high should the asking price be accurate.
Having been involved in Monaco’s two-legged victory over Tottenham’s arch rivals Arsenal in the Champions League in the 2014-15 campaign, similar success in the North London derby will help Martial endear himself to the Spurs faithful early in his career.
Having built a core of young home-grown players at White Hart Lane, Nabil Bentaleb and Harry Kane to name a few, the signing of Martial will continue to show the faith Pochettino has in younger players aimed with demonstrating his high pressing tactics.
With Emmanuel Adebayor reportedly on his way out of the London club, and doubts surrounding Roberto Soldado’s career in England, Martial will add some much needed competition to Kane in the club’s push for a top four finish next season.
However, as the Telegraph mentions, ‘while he is a prime target, negotiations are still continuing.’ It remains to be seen whether Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will invest heavily in a young and unproven talent but the signing of Martial would show the faith in Pochettino and provide optimism for fans in the upcoming season.