Ex-Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has been presented with an unprecedented contract offer from Greek giants AEK Athens, making waves as he searches for his next destination.
Martial, who parted ways with United this summer after a nine-year stint, is still without a club. Despite lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and United States, French striker now faces a compelling option in Greece’s Super League.
AEK Athens, based in capital, reportedly plans to offer Martial a record-breaking contract, surpassing any previous deals in club’s history. During his time at Manchester United, Martial earned £250,000 per week. And while the exact figure for his potential Greek contract hasn’t been disclosed, it’s expected to be substantial. According to Sport24 via The Sun, AEK’s offer aims to make Martial the highest-paid player in the club’s history.
Currently, former Tottenham Hotspur winger Erik Lamela holds the title of AEK’s top earner. Martial’s proposed wage would significantly exceed Lamela’s earnings. Their potential reunion could be notable, given their history: in a memorable incident from 2020. Martial received a red card for striking Lamela during Tottenham’s 6-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
AEK’s director, Panagiotis Kone, who has recently been in London discussing a deal for Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana, will play a crucial role in negotiations with Martial. Meanwhile, French club Lille, who had also shown interest, have ruled out pursuing Martial. Lille president Olivier Letang confirmed, “Contacts with Martial? No. Absolutely none. We have Jonathan David, Mohamed Bayo, and Matias Fernandez-Pardo. That’s already three solutions for one position.”
Martial, 28, made 317 appearances for Manchester United over his eight-year tenure, netting 90 goals. Should he move to AEK Athens, he will follow in the footsteps of other former Premier League stars making moves to Greece this summer. Notably, former Chelsea and Arsenal winger Willian has joined Olympiacos on a free transfer after leaving Fulham, securing a one-year deal reportedly worth around £100,000 per week.
As Mar-tial considers his next step, the prospect of a historic contract with AEK Athens offers a tantalizing opportunity for both player and club.
