Arsenal are "extremely confident" about their chances of beating Manchester United to the signature of Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Gunners and the Red Devils are thought to be in a two-horse race for the Argentina international, who is determined to play in the Premier League for the 2022-23 season.
Martinez worked under now-Man United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax and formed a successful relationship with the Dutchman, and the Red Devils are understood to have had the edge in the race for the centre-back in the past few days.
However, Ajax are yet to have accepted a bid for Martinez, leaving Arsenal in contention to pip their rivals to the 24-year-old's signature before the windows slams shut.
Speaking to the Football Terrace, journalist Jacobs revealed that Arsenal were optimistic of securing Martinez's services thanks to the efforts of Mikel Arteta, saying: "There's not been too much movement compared to the end of last week where we had tons of movement.
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"When we last spoke on Wednesday, Man United were not really in the race at all and Arsenal were preparing a third bid. By Friday, United made their move and bid a little bit higher than Arsenal.
"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 [Frenkie] 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.
"Arteta has taken a much more active, direct role in this transfer window than in previous ones; he's been calling players, pitching the club directly and co-selling with Edu, and it's working to some extent.
"With the Gabriel Jesus deal, Arteta was a big factor in that. He was able to sell Arsenal, not just himself as a manager. Maybe the instability at Man United and the uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future could work against their bid for Martinez. But it's 50-50 at the moment."
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Arsenal are already understood to have had two bids for Martinez rejected by Ajax, who are now holding out for an approximate fee of €50m (£42.5m) to sanction a sale.
The former Defensa Central man - who can also be deployed in midfield or on the left-hand of defence - is under contract in Amsterdam until 2025, meaning that Ajax are under little pressure to sell for a cut-price fee.
Martinez registered one goal and four assists in 37 appearances for Ajax throughout the 2021-22 campaign, statistics which saw him rewarded with the club's Player of the Season award.
The South American has now amassed a total of six goals and six assists in 118 games for the Dutch giants, winning two Eredivisie titles, one KNVB Beker crown and one Dutch Super Cup since 2019.
Man United have already added to their left-back ranks with the signing of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord, but Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe could all be set to leave alongside Alex Telles.
Meanwhile, Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney has returned to training after his knee operation, but Nuno Tavares's future is being called into question after his tough start to life at the Emirates Stadium.
Ben Knapton
