In-demand Lisandro Martinez pleaded with Ajax on Monday to grant him his wish to move to the Premier League.
It is the second time in a week that Martinez has told the Dutch club he wants them to allow him to leave with Arsenal and Manchester United locked in a two-way scrap for his signature. United tabled a £40m bid for Martinez over the weekend while Arsenal have made THREE separate attempts to sign him.
Ajax are demanding around £45m but also fundamentally do not want to sell the versatile Argentina international and have been holding firm. Mirror Sport revealed last week that Martinez had asked Ajax to grant him his wish to play in the Premier League. And now Martinez has repeated that plea specifically because Ajax have so far refused to engage in talks and have rebuffed all offers so far.
Martinez, 23, is respectful to Ajax, is grateful for how they have helped him develop his career but is also anxious that things do not turn sour amid the transfer saga.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign the 5ft 9in international who can play left back, centre half and also midfield. Despite his size, Arsenal regard his combative playing style as key to being a success in the Premier League and Arteta has been courting him since April.
However, Manchester United are also super-keen and their new boss Erik ten Hag has a strong link from his time in charge at Ajax.
Ajax are anxious not to end up doing a fire sale to United with ten Hag raiding his former club but Martinez is attracted by the Premier League interest. He has made it clear to Ajax that he wants the chance to play in England and has asked them to stop standing in his way.
Arsenal are still hopeful of getting him despite having two bids - the biggest was £35m - plus a third conversation about sizeable add-ons. But United see him as a crucial part of their rebuilding plans as ten Hag looks to bolster his squad this summer.
