Euro Bites: Ligue 1 - Huge Anthony Martial fee could grow, Nabil Fekir injury a harsh blow for Lyon and France and more concerns over Bordeaux's Euro 2016 stadium

Manchester United’s expensive acquisition of Anthony Martial could cost the Red Devils more in future, Nabil Fekir’s injury in France’s win over Portugal is a savage blow for Lyon and Bordeaux’s Matmut Atlantique home continues to suffer teething issues.

STAGGERING ANTHONY MARTIAL TRANSFER FEE COULD STILL GROW

Manchester United astonished the football world last Tuesday by making relatively unknown 19-year-old Anthony Martial the most expensive teenage player in history by spending £36 million to sign the newly-capped France international from AS Monaco.

As if the fee for a player many Manchester United and English Premier League fans were hearing of for the first time was not jaw-dropping enough, French media report that the amount could ultimately rise to €80 million (£58 million) if all bonus payments are met.

If the full potential value of the deal is realised, Martial will become the most expensive French player in history.

FLURRY OF LIGUE 1 DEADLINE DAY BUSINESS

Deadline day in France was unusually busy this year, with a number of Ligue 1 clubs active right up until the midnight cut-off point last Monday.

Olympique de Marseille brought in three players in the final hours of business, with full-backs Paolo De Ceglie and Mauricio Isla arriving on loan from Juventus and central defender Rolando joining from FC Porto. Les Phoceens allowed Mario Lemina to move to Juve, while Brazilian defender Doria joined Granada CF on loan.

Lorik Cana is back in Ligue 1 after a six-year absence. The Albania international once dared to swap Paris Saint-Germain for Marseille, stoking the famous rivalry flames, but is now back in le Championnat with FC Nantes. Les Canaris also allowed Papy Djilobodji to complete a shock move to Premier League champions Chelsea, but did capture PSG’s Youssouf Sabaly on loan.

Lyon added two promising youngsters in Lucas Tousart and Olivier Kemen to their ranks.

LYON DEALT HAMMER BLOW WITH NABIL FEKIR INJURY

Just when it looked as if Lyon were turning an early corner in their season after a strong end to the transfer window and a Nabil Fekir-inspired 4-0 mauling of Stade Malherbe Caen, disaster struck.

The France international suffered a serious knee injury in les Bleus’ 1-0 friendly win away at Portugal last Friday and is now set for a long spell on the sidelines. Post-match, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the Lyon man has suffered ruptured cruciate ligaments in his right knee and the 22-year-old could now be out for six months.

Fekir’s injury is a hammer blow to Lyon’s Ligue 1 and Champions League hopes, as well as the player’s 2016 UEFA European Championship dream.

LYON’S MATHIEU VALBUENA LEADS FRANCE TO PORTUGAL WIN

Despite Nabil Fekir’s injury just 14 minutes into the Portugal game, France were able to scrape a narrow victory thanks to one of his Lyon teammates.

It was substitute Mathieu Valbuena who came to the rescue for Didier Deschamps’ men. The OL man replaced Moussa Sissoko with 10 minutes left and then scored the only goal of the game from a free-kick five minutes after coming on at Estadio Jose Alvalade to secure the win.

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC CONFIRMS SUMMER INTEREST FROM AC MILAN

After joining up with the Sweden national team for crucial Euro 2016 qualifiers against Russia and Austria last week, PSG’s star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic reflected on the recent transfer window and confirmed that former club AC Milan were keen to bring him back to Italy.

The 33-year-old revealed that there was “a lot of interest” from Milan to re-sign him, but that he made it clear early on that he wished to stay in Paris this summer.

Ibrahimovic’s comments on the fallen Italian giants’ interest were interpreted as the Swedish superstar calling his former club “desperate,” but the player’s agent Mino Raiola has since clarified those claims. Raiola explained that Milan were “desperately trying to sign him” and that his client still considers his former employers as “a great club.”

Zlatan started Sweden’s 1-0 qualifying loss away at Russia last Saturday, but had to be substituted at half-time because of injury.

MORE CONCERNS OVER BORDEAUX EURO 2016 VENUE

Early last week, following Girondins de Bordeaux’s 2-0 win over Nantes on Sunday, reports emerged revealing that five people were hurt when a barrier at the newly named Matmut Atlantique gave way.

This is the second time such an incident has occurred in three games at les Girondins’ new €168 million home and the venue is expected to host Euro 2016 games next summer. Two young children were among those hurt when the barrier failed to hold a crowd surge after Milan Gajic’s second goal.

Back in May, at Bordeaux’s inaugural match in their new stadium, a similar barrier that separates the crowd from the pitch gave way. Nobody was hurt that time, but a number of other problems were reported including structure movements, visible cracks appearing in the venue and broken seats.