“A crime”: Journalist tells Arsenal they’ve bid far too much for 24-year-old target

Follow us on Google Discover

Dutch journalist Martijn Krabbendam has been speaking to Voetbal Primeur about Arsenal and Lisandro Martinez.

Interestingly, he believes it would be “a crime” if Ajax didn’t accept what the Gunners are offering.

What’s the story?

Well, Krabbendam clearly feels Mikel Arteta and Edu are overvaluing the Argentina international.

He said: “Martinez is not someone of whom you think: he is indispensable. Forty to fifty million they want. Fifty million for Martínez, that’s almost a crime if you don’t do it, isn’t it?

“You have an illustrious youth academy; then you get one out of it. Forty to fifty million euros: you have to do that immediately.”

Arsenal have allegedly offered £34m to sign the 24-year-old, an offer which Ajax are yet to respond to.

If the Gunners are successful in their pursuit, it means they will get one over on their north London rivals Tottenham, who are also interested in signing the South American.

Martinez won the Player of the Season award at Ajax last term, making 36 appearances in all competitions as Erik ten Hag guided the Dutch giants to the Eredivisie title.

Lisandro Martinez to Arsenal is an interesting move

Since this news emerged, many have questioned where Martinez will fit in at the Emirates Stadium.

The Argentine played exclusively as a centre-back last season, although he is also capable of operating at left-back.

Now, Arteta already has Ben White and Gabriel Magalhães in the centre-back department, as well as Kieran Tierney to play at left-back, so we’re not sure what the Spaniard’s plans for Martinez are.

However, depth is vital for any top side, and with Tierney prone to injuries, we can see why Arsenal have got in touch with Ajax.

If Ajax accept the £34m bid, then Arteta will have White, Gabriel, William Saliba and Martinez to choose from at centre-back, as well as an upgrade on Nuno Tavares as Tierney’s deputy.

In our view, it would be a very clever signing – you can’t go wrong with a bit of versatility.