Arsenal are targeting Lisandro Martinez and the Ajax star has suggested that he is ‘just like’ Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro.
The Gunners have secured goalkeeper Matt Turner, winger Marquinhos and playmaker Fabio Vieira so far this summer.
Striker Gabriel Jesus looks set to follow very soon, continuing Arsenal’s very encouraging start to the window.
A left-footed defender now appears to be the focus for Arsenal, preferably with the flexibility to play as a centre back or left back.
Gabriel Magalhaes and Kieran Tierney need more competition and Arsenal have picked out Martinez as their man.
Arsenal are targeting Lisandro Martinez
Arsenal have already made two bids for Martinez, the latter of which totalled around £34million.
Ajax are standing firm at the moment but Arsenal are reportedly setting up a new meeting with the Dutch giants to try and thrash out a deal.
Ajax want around €50million (£43million) for Martinez, who won their Player of the Year award this past season.
Martinez, 24, has become a key player for Ajax following a 2019 move from Defensa y Justicia in his native Argentina.
Martinez isn’t the biggest defender ever at just 5ft 9in tall, but his ability on the ball and versatility is hugely appealing.
One problem for Arsenal is that Manchester United are also keen on Martinez, and they have his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag in charge.
This won’t be an easy deal for Arsenal, but the defender has now talked himself up in a way that Gunners fans will love.
Speaking to The Mirror, Martinez has admitted that he thinks he is just like Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006.
Cannavaro was a diminutive centre back too but made up for it by excelling in pretty much every other area.
Arsenal having their own Cannavaro would be huge, whilst Martinez added that he wouldn’t want to be like Virgil van Dijk; that sounds harsh and we can only assume it was somewhat lost in translation, with Martinez surely unlikely to be so damning about one of the best defenders in the world.
“Cannavaro was comfortable on the ball. And, despite his lack of height, he challenged for every ball as if it was the last tackle to win the game,” said Martinez. “I loved that style – and I am just like him.”
“I would prefer not to be like Virgil van Dijk. His height is certainly a big plus, but when you don’t have the other qualities, it is worth nothing. My favourite position is definitely central defence. I started out as a midfielder, but I learned all the qualities for a central defender who plays in an attacking team under Ten Hag. I can look after myself,” he added.
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