Who gets the better deal if Manchester United exchange Martial for Willian?

According to the Sunday Mirror Manchester United are willing to offer France international Anthony Martial in exchange for Willian, with both players reportedly keen to move on from their respective clubs.

The latter fuelled speculation that he will leave the club this summer by returning late to training from his extended break following the World Cup and has been subject of a number of bids from Barcelona.

United, however, have been long term admirers of the Brazilian, with Jose Mourinho keen to reunite with a player that he brought to England at the start of his second spell at Stamford Bridge.

The 29-year-old has grown frustrated during his time with the Blues under Antonio Conte in particular, starting just 35 league games over the last two seasons, though new manager Maurizio Sarri was hoping to convince the forward to stay.

It remains to be seen whether the Italian would be interested in a swap deal for Martial, but the youngster would undoubtedly be open to a move to secure more first team football himself.

The Frenchman was used sparingly by Mourinho in the second half of last season in particular, starting 18 of 30 Premier League appearances last season.

So who would get the better deal if a straight swap did occur, with both players believed to be valued at around £75m by their clubs?

Seven years younger than the Chelsea man, it’s Martial that offers the far greater long-term investment and in turn the potential for a future profit, as crazy as that may sound for a player valued at such a high price already. Willian, however, has the greater experience at the very highest level and crucially as far as Mourinho is concerned, a stronger grasp of the discipline out of possession that the Portuguese boss values.

From a purely attacking the two carried a similar threat last season, though Martial was more productive in front of goal. The 22-year-old found the net nine times in the Premier League, while Willian scored six despite seeing 299 more minutes of action.

The Brazil international registered seven assists to Martial’s five but all in all the United forward had a hand in one more goal, doing so every 113 minutes to the Chelsea star’s 145.

Willian earned the higher WhoScored.com rating, however, both overall (7.01) and when excluding substitute appearances (7.58), with Martial tending to make a greater impact from the bench. His rating only steps up to 7.06 from 6.87 when excluding his 12 appearances as a sub, falling short of Willian’s numbers in terms of shots, key passes and dribbles per 90 minutes.

It’s reasonable to suggest, then, that United would get the better deal in the short term, for a player that will undoubtedly start in Mourinho’s system, but if Sarri can get the best from Martial, giving him the minutes he needs to develop, the youngster’s ability to play across his favoured front three could see him finally fulfil his potential.

It’s one of those rare deals wherein every party may well be a winner, and one that would certainly make sense for two players that deserve to be playing more regularly.