According to latest reports, Arsenal will be meeting Ajax in the coming week to discuss a move for Lisandro Martinez. The Gunners are one of the top contenders to secure the signature of the Argentinian centre-back.
The Dutch champions have already rejected two offers from the North London Club. However, manager Mikel Arteta and his side are determined to sign the 24-year-old defender. Ajax want €50 million as a guaranteed transfer fee for the player which Arsenal have not quite met.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are also strongly interested in the player. The Red Devils have offered €40 million guaranteed plus €5 million in add-ons for the Argentine. There has been no official response from the Dutch side with regards to the United offer.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have scheduled a meeting with Ajax as they finally want to put an end to the Lisandro Martinez transfer battle. The final decision still remains with the player to choose between Manchester United and Arsenal. The 24-year-old defender has already told the Eredivisie side that he wants a move to the Premier League.
The Red Devils have the upper hand over the North London side in one aspect. United have appointed the former manager of Ajax, Erik ten Hag, which could act as a link between Martinez and United. The Argentine knows that he can get quickly settled at Old Trafford with Ten Hag’s help. However, the Gunners seem more eager than the Manchester club at the moment and that could cost United in this contest.
Lisandro Martínez and his camp will be clear again with Ajax board: he only wants Premier League football. So he wants to make a choice between Arsenal and Man United proposals, hoping for Ajax to let him go. #transfers
Erik ten Hag, confident on this deal – pushing again. pic.twitter.com/ivkaHhCNvu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 3, 2022
Both Arsenal and Manchester United have to use this transfer window to the maximum. They are going through a rebuilding phase and Lisandro Martinez fits in perfectly for both clubs. Whichever club wins the race might get an upper hand in the rebuild. However, they have to understand that Ajax won’t let him leave that easily.
What Should Arsenal Do To Attract Lisandro Martinez?
Manchester United clearly have the upper hand in terms of attracting the player to the club. There are very few things that will attract Martinez to move to the Emirates Stadium instead of joining his former manager at United. Nevertheless, both the clubs have failed to meet Ajax’s valuation for the player.
If Arsenal want to beat United to the signing and get Martinez, then they have to give Ajax what they want. The Gunners should meet the asking price if they want to knock the Red Devils out of the race. This will put United in a difficult position as then, they might have to offer Ajax something more than the actual asking price.
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Moreover, seeing Arsenal’s eagerness for the player, Martinez might change his mind. The Argentine might end up liking the North London side’s urgency to get him and will be convinced of joining them. However, this is a tough call as Arsenal first have to find those extra funds and there is a chance that they can still get turned down.
In addition, if Arsenal want to lure the player, Mikel Arteta may have to play a key role in signing the player. If the manager himself has a conversation with the player, then it could accelerate the process. The Spaniard is the best man to explain Martinez his role in the squad and Arsenal’s project for the future.
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