How much is Man Utd’s offer for Lisandro Martinez?
FT Desk
- 2 Jul 2022 09:42 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United have tabled a bid of €43 million for Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez, according to the Manchester Evening News.
MEN reports on Saturday that Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is desperate to sign his former player and gave the green light to a significant offer.
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Man Utd have met Ajax's reported asking price of €43m in a bid to beat off interest from Arsenal, who are said to have tabled three bids of their own - their highest reaching €40m.
Man Utd have made the signing of a centre back one of their priorities for the summer transfer window.
Ten Hag’s initial preferred option was another Ajax defender in Jurrien Timber, but the youngster appears likely to stay at his current club now after reportedly being warned off United by Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal.
Other possibilities were Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Braga’s David Carmo but Ten Hag would prefer to work with Martinez.
The Argentine – named Ajax’s Player of the Season for the 2021-22 campaign – can play in both defence and midfield.
He joined Ajax in the summer of 2019, initially to be a replacement for the departed Matthijs de Ligt, but has since played several times in midfield.
Martinez is a left-sided centre-back, which means he will face a battle with Harry Maguire for the role alongside Raphael Varane.
He would be just the latest Eredivisie-inspired signing at Man Utd this summer.
After the arrival of Ten Hag from Ajax, Man Utd are in advanced negotiations to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona for a fee of around €85m.
Man Utd have also hijacked Lyon’s deal to sign Tyrell Malacia and have agreed a transfer fee with Feyenoord for €15m plus €2m in add-ons.
Ten Hag would also like to sign another of his former stars from Ajax in winger Antony. However a deal for the wideman will not be easy as Ajax are said to be asking up to €80m.
