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Former Manchester United and Monaco striker Anthony Martial is preparing for another career move after agreeing to terminate his contract with Liga MX club Monterrey. The French forward is now looking to make a comeback in Ligue 1, aiming to revive his career in his home country following a brief and underwhelming spell in Mexico.

An early end to a difficult North American chapter

Martial’s time in Mexico has come to a premature end. His contract with Monterrey, which was initially due to run until 2027, has been mutually terminated after a disappointing stint in Liga MX. The 30-year-old’s spell in Mexico proved challenging, as he struggled to adapt and make an impact with the Rayados.

Since joining Monterrey last September after a short stay with AEK Athens, the former United striker failed to establish himself, registering only one goal and three assists across 20 appearances. His lack of form and consistency soon made him the subject of criticism among fans and pundits alike.

Martial eyes a move back to Ligue 1

The Frenchman now has his sights set firmly on returning to the French top division. Confident that he still possesses the ability to perform at the highest level, Martial and his representatives have been actively working to secure a move to a Ligue 1 club.

As reported by Foot Mercato, Martial’s name has already been circulated among several sporting directors across France following the announcement of his contract termination in Mexico. However, his high wage demands and declining performances in recent seasons have made several clubs hesitant to pursue a deal.

Nice show tentative interest

At present, Nice appear to be the only club keeping the option open to sign the French forward. The Riviera outfit are reportedly taking a cautious approach, needing to offload players and reduce their wage bill before making any concrete move for Martial. Whether the Allianz Riviera will ultimately serve as the venue for his French homecoming remains uncertain.

It has been 11 years since Martial made his high-profile move from Monaco to Manchester United, when he was hailed as one of Europe’s brightest young attacking prospects.

A steady decline since his early promise

Winner of the 2015 Golden Boy award, Martial became the most expensive teenager in football history when he joined Manchester United from Monaco for an initial £36 million ($48m) in 2015. During his nine-year spell at Old Trafford, he made 317 appearances and netted 90 goals. Despite flashes of brilliance, he struggled to maintain consistency and gradually fell down the pecking order at United.

This decline led to a loan stint with Sevilla during the 2021-22 season before he eventually left permanently for AEK Athens in 2024 as a free agent. After spending just one year in Greece, he made the move to Mexico in September 2025, a venture that has now come to an early conclusion.