It was a loan move which started with messages from Ronaldo and hopes of a LaLiga title, but will now end with Anthony Martial completing a backdoor exit from Sevilla.
Injury means the Frenchman will miss Sevilla’s final game of a season which has petered out since his arrival in the January window. The LaLiga giants crowned his signing as a ‘major transfer’ with the expectation he could play a pivotal role in the title race.
Manchester United would have been keen for a revitalising spell for the £36million forward as well, with the likelihood of a summer sale strong. Just last year, Jesse Lingard proved exactly why temporary moves can be so beneficial, returning to top form with West Ham.
And while United fluffed the chance to cash in on his exploits in east London, had Martial thrived with Sevilla, it would have provided the perfect chance to recoup a portion of the significant outlay they paid to Monaco in 2015.
His unveiling at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan back in January felt like a big deal. Donning the famous red and white stripes for the first time, flanked by manager Julen Loptegui and director Monchi, there was a suggestion he would instantly become the main man.
And in the early weeks, that was the case, starting Sevilla’s first three games following his switch, scoring once in the Europa League and registering an assist in the league against Elche. But even early on, there were warning signs it may not go exactly to plan, with Lopetegui less than convinced by his debut.
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"Anthony has to give us much more," Lopetegui warned. "It was his first game and adaptation is not easy, he has played little this year and he has to get into dynamics and gain minutes and confidence."
Following a muscular injury, Martial continued to start, but slowly saw his minutes dwindle. Struggling for fitness and ineffective when he was on the pitch, with the team winning just two of his first eight LaLiga appearances. And after crashing out of Europe vs West Ham, the 26-year-old saw his opportunities drastically decrease even further, playing just 23 minutes since April 17.
According to Spanish news outlet Estadio Deportivo it was an open secret that there was a clause in place for Martial to always play when fit. But such are his fitness issues and lack of form, it was something Sevilla were never able to truly fulfil.
Monchi stated last month that he wasn’t closing the door on a permanent transfer, but to all intents and purposes, his time at the club looks to be over - destined to return to Old Trafford in the coming weeks.
“I don’t close the door to his continuity. We’ll have to talk to the boy to find out if he’s happy or not,” Monchi explained. “He was a risky bet, less expensive than people think.
“I have read around €5-6m and it is not that much. It is difficult to analyse his overall performance because he has been injured. I think his performance has been good, he makes the players who are around him better.”
Incoming United boss Erik ten Hag has suggested he will hold talks with every player at the club, as he runs the rule over those who will and won’t be part of his ambitious rebuild. It appears a long shot he will still be with the Red Devils next term, but his list of potential suitors doesn’t seem like a long one.
