Anthony Martial 'closing in' on new club after Man Utd exit

Former Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is said to be close to an agreement to join Greek giants AEK Athens on a free transfer.

Martial failed to find a new club during the summer window despite leaving United at the end of June upon the expiry of his contract.

90min reported in August that while the Frenchman was being patient in regards to his future, his wage demands were putting off clubs in Europe's top five leagues - it was for this reason that a return to boyhood club Lyon failed to materialise.

In recent weeks, a deal with Brazilian side Flamengo fell through, but Fabrizio Romano reports Martial is 'closing in' on a move to AEK instead.

AEK were busy during the summer window, welcoming the likes of ex-Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela, former Juventus midfielder Roberto Pereyra and Brentford goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha to the Greek capital.

They had also hoped to acquire Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana on an initial loan with a £20m purchase clause, but talks broke down at the eleventh hour and the Ivorian headed to Turkish side Goztepe instead.

Previous reports out of Greece suggested AEK were willing to offer Martial the most lucrative contract in the club's history.

Martial made 19 appearances across all competitions during his final season at United, registering only two goals. In nearly a decade at Old Trafford, he grabbed 90 goals and 47 assists in 317 matches.

Now 28 years of age, Martial will hope to put his injury problems behind him and sustain a run of games and goals again.

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