Arsene lines up Martial if Mbappe goes to Real

ARSENE WENGER has placed Manchester United winger Anthony Martial on his wishlist in case Arsenal lose out to Real Madrid for Kylian Mbappe.

Arsenal insiders say Wenger believes Monaco’s Mbappe, 18, could have the same impact as Thierry Henry. But the figure of £100million being quoted means a deal is difficult to pull off, particularly as Arsenal are not in the Champions League next season while Real are.

Arsenal are prepared to pay £40m for Martial, who fell out of favour at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho last season and started fewer than half of Manchester United’s Premier League games.

The Arsenal manager fears that Mourinho would not agree to a deal because of personal animosity, so the Gunners would ask for negotiations to be conducted above managerial level. United are aware that another summer of heavy spending has to be offset in some way and Martial’s opportunities will be even more limited if Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic arrives in a £44m deal.

Swedish international defender Victor Lindelof has already been signed by Mourinho for £30m and the club are hoping the re-election of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez helps in their pursuit of striker Alvaro Morata, whom the Spanish club value at £65m.

Mourinho also wants to sign a specialist holding midfield player. Tottenham’s Eric Dier is his first choice but the £50m price tag is a major obstacle, leaving Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic as another possibility.

United, who sold Josh Harrop to Preston on Friday, want more than £10m for winger Adnan Januzaj and will listen to offers for Chris Smalling.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrinoo has been assured that Virgil van Dijk will not be allowed to leave this summer despite strong interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.

Everton have made a second bid close to £30m for Swansea playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson.