Monaco’s Vice President suggests Anthony Martial was a panic buy

Manchester United have been accused of panic buying this week after promising to stump up £36m to Monaco for Anthony Martial - as well as a possible extra £22m in add-ons.

It turns out that the 'panic buy' theory might be correct, especially if you go by the comments of Monaco Vice President Vasim Valiyev, who says that United's bid for Martial was a relatively small £21.6m. Each 'non' was met with an increased offer, particularly as Louis van Gaal was plotting to turf out striker Javier Hernandez to Bayer Leverkusen and attacking midfielder Adnan Januzaj on loan to Borussia Dortmund. Vailyev explains: "It’s true that the price for Martial is £57.6m, but take into account this sum includes bonuses which are very realistic. Initially Martial was not for sale, it was absolutely not planned. "Since last week United started to make offers which we declined several times – £21.6m, £28.8m, £36m, even £50.4m with bonuses." Eventually, Valiyev says, the Premier League outfit "made an offer to Monaco which the club couldn’t refuse," adding: "It’s absolutely unique. It's the price of Luis Suarez or Neymar – the best players in the world. "Right now English football is on a different financial level and if Manchester United decides to buy somebody, it’s very hard to stop them." H/T: The Sun