Manchester United have reportedly increased their offer for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez to €50m (£42m) in the hope of beating Arsenal to his signature.
Martinez is believed to have informed his Dutch club that he wants to move to the Premier League this summer, and Man United and Arsenal are seemingly going head-to-head for his signature.
Journalist Ben Jacobs recently claimed that Arsenal were "extremely confident" of winning the race for the Argentina international, who was a vital player for his Dutch club last season, scoring once and providing four assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.
"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," Jacobs told the Football Terrace.
"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 [Mikel] Arteta."
© Reuters
However, according to 90min, Man United are also confident that they will win the race for the Argentina international, who is said to be keen on a reunion with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag in Manchester.
The report claims that the Red Devils have made an increased offer of €50m (£42m), including bonuses, which is believed to meet the Dutch outfit's asking price.
The 24-year-old has played 120 times for Ajax since arriving in Amsterdam from Defensa y Justicia in 2019, helping the club win back-to-back league titles and the KNVB Cup in 2021.
"Martinez is very high on Erik ten Hag's wishlist." Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan recently told De Telegraaf. "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 (£38.7m)-€50m (£43m), but that is the advantage if two clubs bid, as we saw with Lyon and Manchester United, then it suddenly goes higher."
© Reuters
Martinez has played as a defensive midfielder and a left-back during his professional career, but Man United are believed to be keen to sign him as a central defender.
Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are all believed to be available for transfer this summer, with Ten Hag wanting another centre-back to complement Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.
Arsenal are believed to have submitted two separate offers for Martinez this summer, but the presence of Ten Hag at Old Trafford could lead to the Red Devils winning the race.
Man United have completed a deal for Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia, while they are soon expected to confirm the arrival of Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
The 20-time English champions are also believed to be working on a deal for Ajax attacker Antony, in addition to Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong despite recent comments from the Catalan club's president Joan Laporta.
Matt Law
