According to reports, Arsenal have launched an improved offer for Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine is high up on the transfer wish-list of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

The North London side remain dedicated to signing the player this summer. Lisandro Martinez was voted as Ajax’s Best Player of the Season. This is a big achievement, considering he is only 24-years-old and has just four years of first-team experience.

He had cemented his place in the starting lineup of Ajax under Erik ten Hag and has been mostly successful in meeting the demands of the manager. However, the Dutch manager’s new appointment at Manchester United has also seen the defender get linked with a move to Old Trafford.

As reported by The Athletic, Arsenal submitted an initial offer of €30m (£29m) in a bid to sign Lisandro Martinez earlier this month. However, the proposal was straightaway rejected by the Eredivisie champions as the offer falls far below their valuation of the player.

Now, according to GOAL, the Gunners have go in with an improved second offer for the defender. The proposal is said to be around €40m (£35m) including bonuses. The North London side are yet to hear back from the Dutch club. The 24-year-old is keen on a move to the Premier League, but he respects Ajax and is waiting for his club to respond.

Arteta wants to stabilise his defence by having more reliable options and good depth in that area. The Argentine can operate in more than one position which makes him a prime target for Arteta. Martinez could play as a centre-back, left-back, or even as a defensive midfielder. Martinez’s versatility can offer the Spanish manager some reliability at the back as well as options for rotation in different positions throughout the season.

Arsenal have submitted a new bid for Lisandro Martinez, as reported by @MikeVerweij. €40m with add-ons included, but Ajax always asked for €50m fee. Man Utd have also been in touch with his agent #AFC

Again, Ajax have no intention to sell both Lisandro and Jurrien Timber. pic.twitter.com/yjiTEt5g1j

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 27, 2022

On the other hand, Manchester United are also very much capable of hijacking the transfer. With the transfer for Frenkie de Jong very close to completion, the Red Devils are looking to ramp-up interest in the Argentinian centre-back. Moreover, United have the upper hand with the influence of Erik ten Hag.

Why Lisandro Martinez Is A Top Transfer Target For Arsenal?

As previously established, Lisandro Martinez is a very versatile player, something that will please the Arsenal manager. Kieran Tierney’s injuries last season were a concern for Arteta. Martinez is comfortable playing in that position and will be able to fill in if at all Tierney gets sidelined for the majority of the season once again.

Another problem Martinez could solve with his versatility is Arsenal’s over-reliance on Thomas Partey. The 24-year-old defender could also play as a defensive midfielder and give Partey some necessary rest through the course of the campaign. The Gunners do not have an exact backup option for Partey and the closest they could do is Granit Xhaka who can be inconsistent at times, not to mention who could see the exit doors this summer.

Read More:

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• Bayer Leverkusen Eyeing €20m Rated Arsenal Midfielder Linked With an Exit This Summer
• Highly Rated Arsenal Defender’s Proposed Move to Championship Side has Broken Down

However, these won’t be the primary reasons why Arteta will be so desperate for the player. The Argentine is very likely to get into the starting lineup alongside Ben White. Despite his small stature, Martinez reads the game well and gets in a perfect position to intercept and win the ball back for his team more often than not. Moreover, his left foot will also give Arsenal more options to build from the back, exactly the way Arteta likes it.

Lisandro Martinez has the potential to take Arsenal back into the Champions League, where they belong. The North London side have been missing Champions League football since 2016. That has been a massive dent in the club’s reputation in the past few years and Arteta is on a mission to change that. The Arsenal board is supporting Mikel Arteta since his appointment. Martinez’s recruitment could take them one step closer to Champions League qualification and silverware.

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