Call us crazy but we’d be quietly confident in saying that Paul Merson would never have cut it as the financial director of a football club.
The Sky Sports pundit, so often the source of comic relief during Gillette Soccer Saturday, has been torn asunder on social media for his bizarre valuation of Anthony Martial.
Prior to the 3 o’clock kick-offs on Monday, Merson was discussing what West Ham should do with Dimitri Payet and seemed to do very little in the way of research in relation to the figures.
Merse suggested that wantaway Payet should be sold for £30 million… OK. Not all that crazy a fee for a talented midfielder who has shone in the Premier League since moving to Upton Park in 2015.
But eyebrows were raised when the former Arsenal and Aston Villa man claimed that the Hammers then ought to pursue Payet’s international teammate Martial… and sign him up for £20 million.
What a deal that would be!
However, unfortunately for Merse, he gave very little thought to the fact that Manchester United spent £36 million on Martial at the start of last season, with the fee potentially rising as high as £58 million.
Merse: Sell Payet for £30m, bring in Martial for £20m
He gets paid for this pic.twitter.com/X6EUgmO4MC
— Sh (@ForzaMundial) January 2, 2017
It would be a bizarre move for the Red Devils then to take such an absurd loss on a player with such promise and ability, regardless of the fact that he’s not been in the first team every single week.
When pressed on his claim, Merson hit back by insisting that he’d heard some club was in the market for the young French forward.
But he was quickly informed that the club in question was Sevilla and that they were looking to capture Martial on loan, a fact that quite simply exasperated Merson.
He was suitably trolled because, you know, football.
20 million for martial ffs go back to bed merson
— Scott MUFC1 (@Mufc1Scott) January 2, 2017
Has Paul merson really just said West Ham could sign martial for £20 million…. How the fuck is that guy an 'expert' ??? melt
— Joel Searson (@JoelSearson) January 2, 2017
Paul merson: I'd sell payet for 30m and go buy martial for 25m. Hahaha good luck mate. That's coming from a Liverpool fan.
— Darren Smith (@darrensmith2k12) January 2, 2017
Paul Merson is a moron!
"I would sell payet for £30 million and go get Martial for £20 million"
What planet is he on!#MUFC
— rajesh kotecha (@RKotecha84) January 2, 2017
Paul Merson said West Ham should sell Payet for £30m then buy Martial for £20m. OKAY MATE.
— Proudielá (@ProudieYT) January 2, 2017
Sell Payet for £30m and buy Martial for £20m. Merson mate, have a day off. #mufc #SoccerSaturday
— SteLad (@CoolSince1986) January 2, 2017
Merson reckons West Ham can get Martial for £20m. Dying here ????
— Nathan (@NathaanMason) January 2, 2017
Merson: Send Payet away for £30m, buy Martial for £20m.
He gets paid to say things.
— Nathan Staples (@NathanJStaples) January 2, 2017
What planet is Paul merson from? Saying west ham should buy martial for 20 million our future superstar! How is he a pundit? Tool. Wow
— jamie mufc gretton (@gretton123) January 2, 2017
Paul Merson : sell payet for 30m and buy martial for 20m.
How is this guy a professional football pundit ????
— JP (@JaabirPatel18) January 2, 2017
Paul Merson back on the naughty stuff again? Just said West Ham should sell Payet for £30m and buy Martial for £20m ?
— Jordan Street (@_JordanStreet) January 2, 2017
Ok, so Merson has just said that #mufc would sell Martial to West Ham for £20m. It actually happened. I heard it. He was serious. Help me.
— Matthew Law (@MLAW29) January 2, 2017