Manchester United Transfer News: Anthony Martial Reportedly Rejected Chelsea

It's been revealed that Chelsea were the club Anthony Martial rejected before completing his deadline-day switch to Manchester United this summer, even though the Blues offered Monaco more for his signature.

Earlier this week, Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev claimed another club "offered even more than United," and Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News has revealed that to be the west London giants.

Luckhurst stated Jose Mourinho's side were keen to sign the teenager, but their offer included Martial remaining on the French Riviera until the summer of 2016.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Martial completed a last-minute move to Old Trafford for a fee of £36 million this summer, although add-on bonuses could see that figure rise to almost £58 million over the course of the next four years.

The Red Devils have thrived this season thanks in part to the 19-year-old's seamless transition, which has seen him bag four goals in six appearances under manager Louis van Gaal.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Super Sunday, pundit Jamie Redknapp even likened the France international to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, asserting no player has looked this talented as a teen since the Argentine:

"

I watched Anthony Martial for 90 minutes in the Champions League and the only 19-year-old I've seen better at that age was Lionel Messi. I played against Wayne Rooney when he made his debut but this boy has so much intelligence. He knows when to pass, when to cross it, when to dribble and when to shoot. He goes past people like they're not there.

Everything he does, there is a reason behind it. It's like he's been here before - certain players have this, you can't put your finger on what it is, but it's just a quality. I love watching him play. He's going to be a superstar.

"

Meanwhile, reigning Premier League champions Chelsea are wallowing in 16th in the Premier League after eight games, with first-choice striker Diego Costa currently suspended for violent conduct.

Those actions against Arsenal in September led to the forward being dropped from Vicente Del Bosque's Spain squad, according to the Daily Mail's Pete Jenson.

Jon Super/Associated Press

It goes some way in helping to outline the differing fortunes of the two clubs this season, especially in the attacking department since Martial opted for the red of Manchester rather than the blue of west London.

Due to the late nature of United's purchase, many were convinced the French prodigy was a panic buy, but ESPN's Alex Shaw stated that while that may be true, panic buys can still prove to be valuable:

Such would certainly appear to be the case for Martial if his start to life in England is anything to go by.

The fact Chelsea offered more for the player shows Martial was truly motivated to join United's cause, and ESPN FC's Julian De Martinis has put into context how swift the player's rise has been:

"

Don't think I've ever seen a player go from "Wait, who?!" to "Established first team regular" at a big club as quickly as Martial has

— Julian De Martinis (@JulianDM11) October 4, 2015"

Chelsea had already suffered two defeats this season—to Manchester City and Crystal Palace—by the time Martial made the switch to Manchester United on September 2, at which point his new club had just fallen 2-1 to Swansea City.

The joining of two powers in United and Martial is so far proving to be a match made in heaven.