Manchester United is now leading Arsenal in the race for Ajax defender, Lisandro Martinez.
The Argentinian was their best performer in the last campaign, and now he wants to change clubs.
Mikel Arteta’s side has been keen to make him one of their players over the last few weeks, but they have been struggling to find an agreement with Ajax.
The delay has opened the door for United to join the race, and they are now ahead.
The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal offered £34m plus add-ons up to £38m, but the Red Devils have offered 35.3m plus guaranteed add-ons to £38m.
They also have the advantage of Erik Ten Hag. The Dutchman is their new boss, and he managed Martinez at Ajax last season.
Just Arsenal Opinion
Martinez is a top player, and he was never going to be easy to add to our squad.
We must now pay the highest sum to win the race for his signature because United will push us until the end.
The defender will be happy if he ends up at either club, so it is left to us and United to make him see reasons why he should join us after we have reached an agreement with Ajax.
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If he doesn’t want Arsenal first, then pass on him and move to the next target.
Arteta said he only wanted players with “the right mentality.” A big part of that is wanting Arsenal, desire to play for the badge, not settling for Arsenal.
Saliba commented he wanted to return to Arsenal, to play and show the fans what he is capable of producing.
That is the “right mentality” does Martinez prefer Arsenal or would he “settle” for us and the wage increase in the PL?
Let’s rebuild with players who actually want Arsenal and play for the badge, not more mercenaries.
Spot on Durand! I rate Martinez and would he happy
if he decided to join Arsenal but if his preference is to
be reunited with his former manager than so be.
At £40M + AFC could easily address both the DM/LB
with quality players. I personally would love to see MA
turn there attention to Onana/Doucoure @ DM and
Grimaldi /Raum @ LB.
Doucoure/Grimaldi would be the cheaper alternative
but my personal preference of Onana and Raum would
still be around the same cost as Martinez.
Onana at 6’5 would add steel as a solid DM, but Doucoure would also improve our weak midfield as well.
40 million is big money for someone who may not start. Martinez won’t start at CB, won’t start over a proven Tierney at LB, and won’t start in midfield, no way Golden boy Xhaka gets benched by Arteta.
For that 40 million we can get 2 backup players.
I like Onana but isn’t he joining Inter Milan?
The best way to tell Arsenal is not interested in a player is when they keep increasing their bids by £1 so other clubs get to know about the player in question.
Where they’re serious with any player, they just do a Vieira!!
We can safely tell Martinez is now history to MA ……. he’s on to other targets ….. the 15-17 year olds haha
@Tyndale
OMG
My own interpretation as well. I have just written the same in my comment. My goodness exact taken on Fabio Vieira blueprint.. Glad I am not the one who thought the same.
If Arsenal want a player they will start bidding in the region the selling club wishes. We went in straight with Auba, Ozil, Laca, Pepe, Partey, Fabio, Jesus etc. they don’t waste to much on deals they really are serious about.
The player’s preferences will also matter if the club cares at all about the welfare of their staff – but history suggests Martinez will probably opt for MU due to the Ten Hag factor.
The only reason he might not do so is beacuse MU has bene in decline and often in turmoil for years now, in fact if Wolves and WHU had finished with a bit more heart last season MU wouldn’t be in Europe at all next season.
And Ronaldo is unhappy and agitating to leave now (and if he stays it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be a happy ship going forward).
But the bottom line is, as always: if the player doesn’t want to play at Arsenal, then don’t sign him.
One thing I like about the signings so far is that I get the impression they all want to come and play for us and they seem genuinely excited about their future here.
And if we’d finished the season with a bit more heart we’d be in the CL
I really wanted us to get Martinez but it seems it’s going to be difficult with us not willing to over pay anymore. Chelsea got infront if us with Raphinha because we were not willing to pay £60million. United seems to have gotten in front of us with Martinez because we just kept dithering.
It seems to me that if we really rate a player we are willing to pay. We spent £34 million straight away for Fabio Vieira. No haggling on the price. But for the likes of Raphinha and Martinez we started off absolutely law balling. We started with £25 million for Martinez who happens to be Ajax player of the year. We started with £35 million for Raphinha who happens to be Leeds best player. But for Jesus we started bidding nearer the £45 million mark that City wanted.
Going in with a disrespectful first offer of £25 for Martinez set the mood and here we are now having to fight with United and are more likely to have to pay in the region of £40 million to get him..
If you really want a player come in with a more serious offer. Don’t do too much low balling as that sometimes gets the selling club to feel insulted and hiking up the price..
The Fabio Vieira deal speaks volumes. Out of the blue Edu went in with a serious offer and everything was finalised swiftly…
Your comment raises interesting questions.
1. Arteta wanted Jesus, no haggling.
2. Vieira was quick likely no haggling
3. Martinez ridiculous bid, way below what Ajax stated. Not saying we don’t negotiate, but first bid should have been around 34 million plus incentives, closer to their asking price rather than nearly 20 million below.
Are Arsenal serious, or just another “hey we really tried bid?”
OT glad they didn’t close to 60 million for Raphinha. He’s not nearly worth that, and he’s stiffing Chelsea to get his Barca move.
Big red flag, avoid him if he doesn’t want Arsenal, his mind and heart won’t be with our club.
#nomercenaries
@Durand
100%, I myself was bot buying into the overhype and overpricing saga regarding Raphinha, I did not want Arsenal to pay £60 million for him, the guy has has made it clear all along that he is holding out for Barcelona, never understood why we wasted so much time on such a player in the first place.. Now henis embarrassing Chelsea with his stance on waiting for Barcelona. Lol
Still think we should have a try for Calvin Bassy at Rangers for LB