Arsenal have made Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez one of their priority transfer targets, in a move which could anger Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
The Gunners are busy making moves in the early stages of the summer transfer window and are now reportedly setting their sights on Martinez. The news follows the announcement that Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira will be moving to the club in a deal worth £38million . The 22-year-old will become the club’s second summer signing, after Brazilian forward Marquinhos .
According to The Athletic , Arsenal are not slowing down, with Martinez, Manchester City ’s Gabriel Jesus and Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans three of their top targets. The Gunners have already seen a £25million (€30m) bid rejected by Ajax for Martinez but intend to return with an improved offer soon.
The 24-year-old centre-back has been a regular for Ajax over the past three seasons, developing his game under Ten Hag to become one of the best young defenders in Europe. Martinez joined the Dutch side in 2019 from Defensa y Justicia and has made 118 appearances for Ajax.
He still has three years left on his contract, but looks set to follow the pathway previously trodden by Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld by moving abroad. Arsenal’s interest in Martinez may well annoy Ten Hag, who is also keen on signing one of his former proteges.
The Telegraph reported last month that Ten Hag would like United to bring in a quick centre-back who is capable of defending one v one. Martinez is far from the only player earmarked at Old Trafford, with his Ajax team-mate Jurrien Timber another possibility, but he is a significant one.
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Martinez is reportedly keen on a move to Arsenal, where he would also offer cover at left-back and therefore allow Nuno Tavares time to go out on loan and develop his game further after a shaky debut campaign. Were he to arrive, Mikel Arteta would be able to call upon Ben White, Gabriel, Rob Holding, William Saliba and Martinez in central defence.
Arsenal’s progress in the transfer window comes as a clear contrast to United, who are yet to announce the arrival of any new players this summer. Ten Hag wants two new midfielders, with Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata set to leave, as well as a centre-back and striker. None have been forthcoming yet, with negotiations for Barcelona ’s Frenkie de Jong yet to make headway.
Ten Hag quit his job at Ajax early in order to get to work at Carrington and wanted to get new arrivals in before starting pre-season. United begin pre-season on June 27, so the clock is ticking to meet their new manager’s demands.
United have made a contract offer to Christian Eriksen, who is also being courted by Tottenham and Brentford, while Timber is reportedly not convinced by a move to Old Trafford.
