Manchester United are now favourites to sign £45m Lisandro Martinez despite Arsenal talks
(Picture: Getty Images)Arsenal have slipped behind Manchester United in the race for Ajax left-back Lisandro Martinez.
The two clubs are interested in signing Martinez this summer and both of them have held talks with Ajax.
Manchester United are now viewed as the frontrunners to sign the 24-year-old, though, and further talks will take place this week.
Ajax have been demanding around £45million for Martinez and they have been refusing to budge on that asking price.
Arsenal are interested in Martinez as a possible signing at left-back, but also like the fact he can play in the heart of defence and midfield too.
Any move for Martinez is likely to impact the future of Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares, who is attracting interest from several clubs that want to sign him on loan.
Marseille and Real Sociedad are both fans of the 22-year-old, who could be allowed to leave for the season so he can get regular first-team football.
That would be dependent on a new left-back coming in, however, as Arsenal will not want to be short on options there going into the new season.
The Gunners have begun their pre-season preparations for the upcoming campaign, beating Nurnberg in a friendly last week after having a training camp in Germany.
Arsenal are flying to the United States for a pre-season tour on Tuesday, where they will face Everton, Orlando City and Chelsea over the next 10 days.
