Speaking on the Talking Transfers Podcast, Graeme Bailey has been discussing Lisandro Martinez’s future, and he is led to believe that Manchester United are now firm favourites to sign the Arsenal target.
It had been claimed that Arsenal were the frontrunners for his signature as United preferred a move for Pau Torres. However, this situation has seemingly been flipped on its head.
According to Bailey, Martinez has now overtaken Torres on United’s wishlist, while the Red Devils are also willing to match any offer put forward by Arsenal.
Bailey is led to believe, due to the connection between Martinez and Erik Ten Hag, that there will now only be one winner in this transfer race, and sadly, it’s not Arsenal.
What’s been said?
Bailey spoke about Martinez’s future.
“Erik Ten Hag knows Martinez, as we know Manchester United’s scouts love Pau Torres, but no matter how good he is, it’s a risk bringing him to the Premier League, as it is with Martinez, but ten Hag knows exactly what he’s getting, he knows what he can give to the team and from our understand that’s put him ahead of Torres.
“Arsenal coming to the table has alerted Manchester United to the situation, and for me, I think there’s only one winner in this now. I don’t see how Martinez, look at what Ten Hag has done for him, he’s in the position he’s in now because of Ten Hag, and I think linking up with him again is an absolute no-brainer.
“From what we understand, United are poised and ready to match any offer Arsenal make. Arsenal should have done this last week, they had their chance.”
Nightmare
Arsenal look set to lose the race for Martinez, and this is very quickly becoming a bit of a nightmare window for the Gunners.
Indeed, this blow comes just days after Chelsea seemingly nipped ahead of them in the race for Raphinha, and while neither deal is done yet, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that either of the South Americans will ultimately end up the Emirates.
Arsenal will have backup options, but if they continue to be beaten to their targets, this window will become more and more frustrating.
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