Anthony Martial goals edge Manchester United closer to €10m payout

Though United agreed a fee of €50m (£36m) up front for Frenchman Martial, making him the most expensive teenager in football history aged just 19 at the time, one of the add-on clauses in the contract stipulates that the Reds must pay another €10m when Martial reaches a goal tally of 25.

After scoring a brace in Wednesday night’s EFL Cup 4-1 victory against West Ham, Martial is now just four goals away from reaching his target.

However, with Martial, 20, having struggled to find favour with incoming boss Jose Mourinho this season, his opportunities to add to last season’s tally have been few and far between, recently.

Having only made 13 appearances for United across all competitions so far this season, rumours have begun to circulate about a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain in January’s transfer window.

Perhaps Wednesday night’s efforts and the subsequent promise of inclusion in Mourinho’s starting side will be enough to keep the 20-year-old at Old Trafford until the season’s end?

It was reported earlier this year that Martial’s €50million price tag would be paid in two instalments, with the second due at the end of this year, regardless of performance. But that he could end up costing United the princely sum of €80m.

As well as the €10m bonus for scoring 25 goals, documents leaked earlier this year suggested Martial could cost United another €10m if he reaches 25 international appearances of 45 minutes or more, while at United – though at 15, he’s some way off achieving this.

A Ballon d’Or nomination for Martial would set United back another €10m, though having failed to make the cut in this year’s shortlist, United don’t look like they’ll have to raid the piggy bank any time soon.