Man Utd ahead of Arsenal for Lisandro Martinez
Karan Tejwani
- Updated: 4 Jul 2022 09:39 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United are ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez, and are believed to be in advanced negotiations for the Argentine’s signature.
Martinez has been one of the club’s top targets this year, with new manager Erik ten Hag keen to reunite with him having spent time together when he was at Ajax.
There was heavy interest in the player from the likes of Barcelona as well, but it’s believed that the only serious bid has come from Arsenal.
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The Gunners made a €40 million proposal last week, and they believe they can agree on a deal with Ajax and the player in order to bring him over to the Emirates Stadium.
However, United’s interest is supposedly more appealing for the Argentine, and the Red Devils are favourites to secure the player having seen him play under Ten Hag for three seasons.
Ajax hoping for big fee for Martinez
Ajax are hoping to get a fee of €50 million guaranteed, excluding add-ons, but it’s thought that they will be willing to bring down that demand.
Martinez is currently away on holiday so a decision hasn’t been made, but he’s keen to make a Premier League move and would be open to offers from Arsenal and Manchester United.
Staying at Ajax next season is apparently not an option for him and he does not wish for this opportunity to move to England get away, having been an important part of the Ajax set-up for a few years.
🚨 - JUST IN: Manchester United want to complete the signing of Lisandro Martínez before this Friday so that he can go on tour with them. After a long conversation with Manchester United, Ajax are now willing to cooperate with a transfer but do still want €50M. [@MikeVerweij] pic.twitter.com/F30M6zpUTJ
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) July 4, 2022
United see him as a different profile to bring into the squad, bringing something different to what the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane bring to the team.
The Red Devils haven’t yet seen their proposal accepted, with United’s bid being €41 million plus €4 million in add-ons, according to reports in the Netherlands.
Arsenal made a similar bid for the player, but that was turned down, however, United are willing to pay more in add-ons and that those are guaranteed.
More about the player’s future should be revealed in a few days, with the player and club interested in a move and the added factor that United may have to hurry their transfer business.
