LONDON: Manchester United look set to sign Monaco striker Anthony Martial – the so-called ‘new Thierry Henry’ – after the 19-year-old was given permission to leave France’s international camp to travel to the club.

The move went through while United were embroiled in confusion over whether the £29m part-exchange sale of David De Gea had been completed in time to meet yesterday’s Spanish deadline. The English window closes at 6pm today because yesterday was a public holiday.

Martial had been called up by France coach Didier Deschamps for his squad to play friendlies against Serbia and Portugal.

A statement on the French Football Federation website read: “Anthony Martial requested permission from Didier Deschamps to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United.

“Given the exceptional circumstances, the coach has agreed to the request of the player.”

Martial is due to return to Clairefontaine today.

Martial had signed a new contract with Monaco only in June but the size of the fee – £36m, a record for a teenager – might explain why the club were prepared to sell him.

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