In an effort to outbid Arsenal for the services of Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United is said to have upped their offer to €50 million (£42 million).
Martinez is thought to have told the Dutch giants that he wants to go to the Premier League this summer. Manchester United and Arsenal are competing for his signature.
Journalist Ben Jacobs claimed that there was a lot of confidence with regard to the signing of the Argentina international.
Martinez himself made it very clear to Ajax that he wanted to move to the Premier League. Man United sources reveal that Ten Hag is pushing very hard, he is the priority, much more so than Antony and maybe even more than De Jong
However, the twist is that Arsenal are also extremely confident. The challenge for Man United coming in late was that Arsenal were always going to be more advanced. Martinez was also very sold on talking to Arteta.
Ben Jacobs
Martinez Enamoured By The Ten Hag Factor
Martinez is reportedly eager to reunite with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag in Manchester. According to the source, the Red Devils have boosted their bid to €50 million (£42 million), including bonuses. This is in the region of Ajax’s asking price.
Erik Ten Hag wants to move on Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, and Axel Tuanzebe. On the other hand, he needs another centre-back to join Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, and Victor Lindelof. Lisandro Martinez has featured as a left-back and defensive midfielder but can occupy a central role in defence as well.
Martinez is very high on Erik ten Hag’s wishlist. Martinez will also have his hopes pinned on United, who are an absolute top club for him. Ajax will really cash out for Martinez and go to €45m to €50m. But that is the advantage if two clubs bid, as we saw with Lyon and Manchester United, then it suddenly goes higher.
Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan to De Telegraaf
Arsenal have submitted two bids to Ajax for Martinez this summer. But the Mancunian giants may win the race for him due to the presence of Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Follow us on Twitter for more football news.
