Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero has spoken highly on Sky Sports about Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk and Manchester United ace Lisandro Martinez, a player Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal reportedly wanted to sign.
When asked on Sky Sports to name the best defenders in the Premier League at the moment, Romero said Van Dijk of Liverpool and Martinez of Manchester United.
Tottenham’s Cristian Romero on Arsenal summer target Lisandro Martinez
Romero said: “Today, the best defender for me is Virgil van Dijk, always, and Lisandro Martinez from Manchester United. For me, they are the best in the Premier League.”
Romero plays with Martinez for the Argentina national football team.
Links with the Gunners
Interestingly, Tottenham’s bitter North London rivals Arsenal were strongly linked with Martinez before the 24-year-old defender joined the Red Devils from Ajax in the summer transfer window.
CBS Sports reported in July that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and the North London club’s Technical Director Edu made a ‘detailed proposal’ to Martinez.
The report claimed that the 24-year-old Argentina International centre-back was ‘tempted’ by a move to the Gunners, but he eventually opted for Manchester United instead.
Tottenham’s interest in Martinez
Interestingly, Tottenham were also linked with Martinez in the summer transfer window.
90min reported on June 17 that Tottenham, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea all were keen on the defender.
Stats
Martinez has made six appearances in the Premier League, and has made one start and one substitute appearance in the UEFA Europa League for Manchester United so far this season.
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