Free-agent Martial rejects £13m Libya offer as Russian clubs circle the former United forward

Anthony Martial, the forward Manchester United signed for £36 million, has rejected a £13 million contract offer from Libyan Premier League side Al-Ittihad Tripoli and is now reportedly in discussions with Russian clubs, according to L’Equipe and Foot Mercato.

CSKA Moscow and Krasnodar are among several clubs said to be pursuing the 30-year-old, who has been without a club since leaving Liga MX side Monterrey midway through a two-year deal earlier this summer. Foot Mercato reports that Al-Ittihad Tripoli’s package — a net salary of £8.6 million across two years plus a £4.3 million signing-on fee — was turned down by the Frenchman.

Martial left Manchester United two years ago after nine seasons at Old Trafford and joined Super League Greece side AEK Athens, where he scored nine goals in 53 appearances across two campaigns. A single goal in limited time at Monterrey preceded his return to Europe.

Spanish clubs are also in the picture. Multiple sides in Spain, including Malaga, are reportedly interested. Martial has prior experience of Spanish football from a loan spell at Sevilla, with Malaga situated roughly 100 miles southeast of Seville.

In France, Auxerre tabled an offer that was rejected, and Lorient sporting director Laurent Koscielny confirmed his club received an approach. The former Arsenal defender, who represented France alongside Martial on 13 occasions, told Ouest-France: “I think we received 400 to 450 player offers during the transfer window. There were, for example, a lot of former internationals in the lot, including Anthony Martial.”

Everton were also mentioned as a potential destination after the Premier League club’s summer window closed without a new forward following their failed pursuit of Folarin Balogun, though no formal offer materialised.

A move to Russia would carry significant consequences beyond football. Clubs in the country are barred from UEFA competition following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, effectively ending any prospect of European football for a player who joins them.

Martial, who turns 31 in early December, was said to be delaying a decision on his next club until the current international break.