Arsenal are backing off Lisandro Martinez – and that could now give Manchester United hope of swooping in to sign the Ajax star.
Arsenal have secured Brazilian talent Marquinhos but now want signings who can make a real first-team impact right away.
Porto playmaker Fabio Vieira is set to join whilst Manchester City attacker Gabriel Jesus is a top target for Mikel Arteta.
Adding a left-sided defender also appears to be a focus and Ajax ace Martinez has emerged as a desired addition.
Arsenal are backing off Lisandro Martinez
The Daily Mail reported just days ago that Arsenal had offered £30million to sign Martinez this summer.
Martinez is capable of playing as a left back, left-sided back or holding midfielder, giving Arteta the perfect versatility for this Arsenal squad.
However, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf now claim that there has been no offer from Arsenal as things stand, as noted by Voetbal Primeur.
Instead, they claim that Arsenal have backed away from Martinez after learning just how much he would cost this summer.
The report doesn’t share Ajax’s asking price but Arsenal weren’t impressed no matter what it was.
That means Arsenal may now look elsewhere, but Martinez is still a wanted man elsewhere in the Premier League.
It’s stated that Manchester United are preparing an offer for Martinez as they seemingly give up hope of signing Ajax teammate Jurrien Timber.
United have appointed former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag as their new manager and he may fancy reunions with some of his old players.
Martinez is one who fits the bill with United needing a left-sided centre back.
Ten Hag has previously called Martinez an ‘excellent’ player having helped him develop over in Amsterdam.
Ajax will tell United exactly what they told Arsenal; that they don’t want to sell Martinez and that he will cost a huge fee.
The 24-year-old Argentinian is a man in demand but Arsenal or United would face a significant outlay if they were to sign him.
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