Manchester United are reportedly ready to offer Anthony Martial to Inter Milan as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Lautaro Martinez.
Having waved a bitter goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo last year, a new number nine will be the Red Devils' number one priority for the upcoming transfer window.
Man United are still believed to be holding out hope of signing Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, but the 29-year-old has hinted that he could remain in North London for one more season.
Either way, Daniel Levy will be reluctant to sell to a direct Premier League rival, which could force Erik ten Hag's side to turn their attention to other targets.
Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani have been mentioned as possible alternatives, but the Serie A champions' president Aurelio de Laurentiis has ruled out selling Osimhen this summer.
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Meanwhile, Frankfurt are hopeful of keeping hold of Kolo Muani for at least one more season, dealing Man United another blow in their search for attacking reinforcements.
Further down the shortlist, Man United could end up reigniting their interest in Martinez, whom Inter are supposedly open to offers for in the upcoming window.
Chelsea are also expected to battle for the Argentina international's signature, but according to Calciomercato - Football Transfers - Man United have hatched a transfer plan to beat the Blues to his signature.
The report states that the Red Devils are ready to stump up €50m (£43.6m) to bring Martinez to the Premier League, as well as sending Martial in the opposite direction.
Nerazzurri chiefs have supposedly been seduced by the offer, but they are still holding out for a straight cash sum, especially with Martinez still under contract at San Siro until 2026.
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The 25-year-old left Racing Club in 2018 to move to Inter and has gone from strength to strength in Nerazzurri colours, scoring 97 goals and setting up 34 more in 230 appearances.
Martinez has managed 23 goals and 10 assists from 49 outings during another productive season in 2022-23, helping Simone Inzaghi's men reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
In contrast, Martial has been restricted to just 25 matches in all tournaments this term, coming up with seven goals and three assists in the process, including four strikes from 17 Premier League outings.
The Frenchman is out of contract next summer, and the Red Devils will try to offload him in the upcoming window rather than risk losing him for nothing in 2024, having paid €60m (£52.3m) to bring him to Old Trafford from Monaco in 2015.
Martial is currently battling for centre-forward starts with Burnley loanee Wout Weghorst, but the Red Devils are not expected to sign the Dutchman permanently this summer either.
Ben Knapton
