JOSE IN A RUSH TO SELL MARTIAL

MANCHESTER UNITED are in a two-week race to sign Croatia World Cup star Ivan Perisic before they will let Anthony Martial leave.

Martial, who has returned from the club’s pre-season tour of the US for the birth of his second child, has been given the green light to leave Old Trafford — but only on United’s terms.

The Premier League runners-up want at least £70million for the French international and are insisting he moves abroad, despite interest from Chelsea and Tottenham.

Paris Saint-germain and Bayern Munich are also in the hunt for Martial and it is understood the 22-year-old forward would favour a move to the French capital where his partner, Melanie Da Cruz, gave birth to their son.

With the transfer window closing on August 9, United are under pressure to bring in a replacement for former Monaco starlet Martial before letting him go, with Inter Milan star Perisic top of the list. United boss Jose Mourinho tried to buy Perisic last summer for around £40m but the winger’s impressive World Cup campaign has pushed his value up to £60m.

Mourinho confirmed Matteo Darmian wants to leave United but said none of the offers the club have received for the Italian defender has been acceptable.

“Matteo wants to leave and I think when a player wants to leave, if the right offer arrives, you have to try to be human and let the player follow his instinct,” said Mourinho.

“But not at any price and until now the offers we have received are not even close to being accepted.

“Antonio Valencia is injured and I think he will be injured for the beginning of the season.

“Diogo Dalot is also in a recovering phase and will not be ready for the start.

“Ashley Young is a possibility to play right-back, but he is on holiday.

“So if Matteo leaves, he leaves because the right offer arrives. If he stays, he can be important for us.”