Manchester United move into pole position to sign Lisandro Martinez as Ajax demand £43m and Arsenal see TWO bids rejected… and the pull of Erik ten Hag would sway any bidding war for the Argentina defender
- Man United are set to make a major push to sign Lisandro Martinez this weekend
- Sources in Holland say the player is a key target of Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford
- But Mikel Arteta also wants the Argentinian, who Ajax value at £43million
- Arsenal have had a second bid of £38m for the 24-year-old rejected by Ajax
Lisandro Martinez has not closed the door on a move to Arsenal despite Manchester United being tipped to win his signature.
The Ajax defender is a man in demand and his club are holding out for around £43million after rejecting two offers from Arsenal so far.
The first bid was for £30million and the second, rejected earlier this week, was for £38m including add-ons.
Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez is subject of transfer interest from Man United and Arsenal
New United manager Erik ten Hag is set to push for the club to reach an agreement with Ajax
It’s clear the 24-year old centre back is a player Mikel Arteta really wants as part of his new-look project, however, sources in Holland say it is United who are expected to make a major push for the Argentina international over the weekend and that the pull of Erik ten Hag would sway any bidding war.
Martinez is said to be very high on Ten Hag’s wish list and is regarded as their next target after Tyrell Malacia and Frenkie de Jong. For their part United have maintained they would need to offload defenders first with the likes of Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones all looking for fresh starts.
Sportsmail understands that Martinez is open to either possibility and has not closed off the prospect of joining Arsenal should they reach agreement with Ajax.
Martinez, who has seven caps and can play centre back or left back, is on holiday but is following reports regarding his future and relishes the idea of playing in the Premier League for either side.
Mikel Arteta also wants Martinez as he continues to target reinforcements for his Arsenal side
He remains committed to Ajax in the meantime though, respectful of the platform they have given him since his move from Defensa y Justica in 2019.
United are advanced in negotiations for Feyenoord left-back Malacia while de Jong will be wrapped up too over the weekend as United finalise the structure of payment and bonuses with Barcelona on top of a basic fee around £56m.
United players have been trying to impress Ten Hag in his first week of training including some of the club’s Under 23 squad hoping to earn a place on the first team tour.
From Monday another 13 players are due back after internationals including Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly and James Garner, who is wanted by Nottingham Forest.
Martinez has seven caps for Argentina and can play either as a centre back or left back
