Football

‘He’s an expensive one’: Journalist claims Arsenal may still be £16m away from important signing

arsenal tottenham Lisandro Martínez
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Ajax don’t need to sell Lisandro Martinez and that is leaving Arsenal and Manchester United facing a huge bill for the defender.

Ajax are set to lose striker Sebastien Haller to Borussia Dortmund after a superb goalscoring season whilst Ryan Gravenberch is off to Bayern Munich.

Noussair Mazraoui and Andre Onan have moved on to Bayern and Inter Milan respectively, leaving on free transfers.

Ajax understandably don’t want to lose any more players but are now facing interest in the likes of Jurrien Timber, Antony and Nicolas Tagliafico.

Ajax don’t need to sell Lisandro Martinez

Another player attracting huge interest is defender Martinez, who won Ajax’s Player of the Year award this past season.

Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly held talks over a deal for Martinez last week.

De Telegraaf have since added that Arsenal have now increased their bid for Martinez to €40million (£34million).

Martinez isn’t the tallest defender ever but his versatility is what Arsenal love.

Arsenal view Martinez as a player who can play as a left back, left-sided centre back or holding midfielder.

Martinez’s flexibility is just perfect for what Arsenal need right now, but it will clearly cost them a pretty penny.

As for United, Martinez’s former Ajax boss Erik tan Hag has taken over at Old Trafford and wants a reunion.

United don’t have a naturally left-footed centre back and Martinez could fit the bill.

Ajax will not be bullied though and their stance has now been outlined.

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Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan has now spoken to Sky Sports about Ajax’s position with regards to selling Martinez.

Van der Kraan claims that offers have come from Arsenal and United but those offers are only to speak with Martinez’s agent as things stand.

Ajax allegedly want between £45million and £50million for Martinez, with the Amsterdam giants under absolutely no pressure to sell whilst knowing that top clubs in Europe – like Arsenal and United – need players right now.

“Martinez has two offers from England, one is from Arsenal and one is from Manchester United. But, when I say offer, there’s been an offer to the club to talk, there’s been offer to his agent to discuss things,” said Van der Kraan. “And there is not an absolute concrete money offer on the table yet but that could soon happen. Then again he’s an expensive one because Ajax are demanding £45m- £50m for this player.”

“Why is this? Ajax have no need to sell any more players. They have the money, they are financially ok and they have said: look, if anybody comes in for Martinez, or Antony for instance – who is worth £80m in the eyes of Ajax – the prices they are asking are absolutely huge because they have no need to sell. And they know Man United, like many clubs in Europe at this moment, need players, so it’s a very awkward position Manchester United are in at this moment,” he added.

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