Manchester United have turned their attention towards Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez to fix their defensive problems after making headway on Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong.
United boss Erik ten Hag signed the Argentine international in 2019 at Ajax and is looking to reunite with him at Old Trafford to bolster the club’s defensive lineup ahead of the new season.
According to reports, Manchester United will have to battle Arsenal which have already had several of its offers rejected for the 24-year-old Martinez. The Trumpet Gathered
Lately, Arsenal have tendered a bid of €40m plus add-ons but the Dutch champions will only consider doing business when their value for the defender, which is reportedly around €50m, is reached.
The Gunners are ahead of Manchester United in the pursuit of Martinez having officially tendered a bid for the player against the latter who have only made their intentions known.
Also, Manchester United have reached out to Brentford Christian Eriksen in a bid to bring the Danish player to Old Trafford. Although the player’s contract has expired, he still has the option to renew it with the West London club.
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While United fans are wary about where Martinez will fit into a club that has defensive options in its lineup, Ten Hag last year’s statement reveals why he considers the versatile player as a prime target.
“He is an example of what my statement about more than eleven basic players is based on. Only its competition is enormous. He can play as a left-back, left central defender and left controlling midfielder,” Ten Hag told Voetbal International last year.
“He has good technique, overview on the ball, duelling power, but he has less walking ability, for example. Our midfield has been given a different interpretation, which means that Martínez mainly has to compete with [Daley] Blind and [Nicolo] Tagliafico,” he commended the Ajax defender.
United have targeted three players in Ajax, Jurrien Timber, Antony and Martinez, who worked with Ten Hag last season to emerge champions of the Dutch top division.
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