Lisandro Martinez remains at the centre of a £43million tug of war between Arsenal and Manchester United.
The 24-year-old Ajax centre-back is expected to make a decision between the two this weekend. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is determined to land the versatile Argentina centre-back who could help with both clubs’ issues in defensive midfield.
Reds boss Erik ten Hag has made him a priority ahead of United’s tour of Thailand and Australia. In an interview two years ago, when Ten Hag signed Martinez, the then-Ajax boss said: "At the beginning of the (2019-20) season, we were looking for a brain for central midfield. We knew Martinez had played there but could he do it in Ajax’s system? We tried him there and we saw good things.”
Arsenal have had three bids rejected so far and could yet react to United’s latest attempt to gazump them. Martinez has admitted to Ajax he is hell-bent on joining a Premier League club but has not yet decided which of the two he is more interested in joining.
Arsenal can offer him Europa League football and a youthful side set to build on the promise of last season. While United are looking to bounce back from one of their worst Premier League seasons ever, they can offer a coach in Ten Hag who knows Martinez's game.
Ajax have been adamant all summer that they want to keep hold of their best players, with Ryan Gravenberch having gone to Bayern Munich and Sebastian Haller now at Dortmund. The Dutch champions have also fended off interest in the likes of defender Jurrien Timber and winger Antony, both of whom are also on Ten Hag’s wishlist. But the offers from both United and Arsenal are understood to be too good to turn down.
