Aston Villa are reportedly considering making a loan move for Manchester United forward Anthony Martial during this summer's transfer window.
The 27-year-old has only managed eight goals for the Red Devils during an injury-hit campaign, and his contract with the 20-time English champions is due to expire next June.
Martial has started Man United's last two league games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth, scoring against the former at Old Trafford last weekend.
The Frenchman failed to make his mark against the Cherries on Saturday afternoon, though, and he was replaced in the early stages of the second period at the Vitality Stadium.
Martial headed straight down the tunnel after his substitution, although Man United head coach Erik ten Hag played down the forward's reaction to being withdrawn.
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There is currently widespread speculation surrounding the Frenchman's future, with the Red Devils thought to be prepared to let him leave this summer, as they consider bringing in two new attackers.
According to FootballTransfers, Villa are considering a loan move for Martial, with the offer potentially including an option to buy at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
The report claims that Villa head coach Unai Emery is keen to sign 'a versatile attacker' this summer and views Martial as the ideal addition during the upcoming market.
Emery's side are currently in pole position to secure European football for next season, sitting seventh in the Premier League table, one point ahead of eighth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
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Villa's leading goalscorer this season is Ollie Watkins with 15, while Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey have both netted on six occasions for the club during the 2022-23 campaign.
Martial has now represented Man United on 296 occasions since arriving from Monaco in the summer of 2015, scoring 87 goals and registering 53 assists in the process.
The Frenchman has struggled with a number of injury problems this season, spending time on the sidelines with hamstring, Achilles, back, muscular and hip issues.
Man United are able to extend Martial's contract for a further year until June 2025, and the option could be taken up in order to protect the forward's valuation.
Matt Law
