Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Anthony Martial, James Rodriguez

Real Madrid are on standby to swoop for France international Anthony Martial, as Manchester United are "considering selling" the striking prodigy.

Ken Lawrence of The Sun reported Jose Mourinho could seek a swap deal to bring James Rodriguez to Old Trafford, allowing Martial to become Madrid's next Galactico. However, Barcelona could rival their El Clasico enemy for the player's £60 million signature, but James' availability might swing the pendulum in Zinedine Zidane's favour.

The 20-year-old arrived at Old Trafford as a major signing by ex-coach Louis van Gaal, but his form has stalled under the self-proclaimed Special One at the Theatre of Dreams.

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According to Lawrence, the player arrived in a £36 million deal which could inflate to £57.6 million, should the striker meet certain targets in his contract.

Martial lost the No. 9 shirt to Zlatan Ibrahimovic when the Swedish superstar arrived in the summer, and the attacker has since been used in a wider capacity by his new manager.

The Frenchman featured in 31 Premier League matches last season, scoring 11 goals and assisting four times, according to WhoScored.com, becoming a huge fan favourite with the Stretford End.

James has fallen down the pecking order at Los Blancos, and needs a fresh start at a major team to fire his engines once again.

The midfielder has proved his worth in La Liga, but he appears to be expendable in the manager's matchday squad.

Here is James in action, proving his world-class talent:

Barca's interest in Martial could scupper any thoughts of a swap, and they have previously tried to buy the Frenchman, per Lawrence. However, Real "will consider themselves favourites" as Mourinho will be tempted to sign the Colombian superstar, offering him a shot at the Premier League.

Former United loanee striker Radamel Falcao has revealed his countryman is not happy in the Spanish capital, per El Partidazo (h/t Mark Brus of Metro).

Commenting on James' lack of playing time at Real, Falcao proclaimed: “When you do not play, you are not happy. It is normal for players – it has happened to me.”

United fans will be angry to see Martial sold, and they regularly sing his name during matches, home and away.

Blogger Hesham Bilal-Hafiz insisted Mourinho should persevere with the attacker in his line-up at the expense of his youthful peers at Carrington:

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It is difficult to envisage where Martial would fit in at Real or Barca, unless the clubs were to lose one of their primary attackers.

Martial would struggle to get minutes in either team, and he is a talent who has plenty of development left to achieve.

However, Mourinho favours more experienced players, and the chance to acquire James will be tempting for the coach.

The Colombian needs a manager that believes in the creativity he can deliver, and the chance to enjoy the riches on offer in England will certainly turn the player's head towards Manchester.