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According to reports from Dutch journalist Mike Verweij, Manchester United have submitted a new bid to acquire Arsenal target and Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez. The Red Devils are believed to have upped their initial offer for the Ajax defender, by offering €50 million (plus bonuses) for his services.
Martinez may have to choose between both Premier League rivals and could be the subject of a bidding war between the sides. The Ajax defender was a mainstay under former manager Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam, who has now taken the reins at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag took over at the Theater of Dreams this summer and will hope to secure all his transfer targets before the pre-season ends. The €50 million bid is in the ballpark of what Ajax have requested for the defender, which could see him reunited with the Dutch boss in Manchester.
Arsenal will hope to snatch the star from the grasp of their Premier League rivals, as Mikel Arteta is also in the middle of a fascinating rebuild. Lisandro Martinez could be one of the final pieces that helps take Arsenal to the next level.
Both clubs will hope to wrap up moves for their target soon.
The Argentine had a good 2021-22 season with Ajax where he helped the team keep 22 clean sheets in 37 Eredivisie games.
Gabby Agbonlahor says he would have joined all of Manchester United's rivals but not the Red Devils if he was still playing
While Arsenal have had an exciting start to the summer transfer window, the Red Devils have only made one major first-team signing so far (Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord). Although they could be set to bring in Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona and Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, both deals are still pending and could be snatched.
It's easy to see why players have been skeptical about a stint at Old Trafford, especially as the club had a poor outing last season. They ended up finishing 35 points behind (in sixth place) eventual Premier League winners Manchester City.
Gabby Agbonlahor strongly believes that other clubs at the top end of English football would have a better chance of pulling players. The former Aston Villa star stated to talkSPORT that he would rather move to Chelsea or Tottenham than Manchester United.
“If I had the choice to go to Manchester City or Liverpool before Manchester United, it would be a no-brainer. If I was a player now, and I had the choice to go to Spurs or Manchester United, I’m going to Spurs. I’d even go to Arsenal before Manchester United, they’re a shambles. That’s what Manchester United have come to."
