Arsenal and Manchester United are both confident of signing Lisandro Martinez from Ajax but with each passing day, it seems like the Gunners are falling behind.
Arsenal are said to be long-term admirers of the central defender and as per The Athletic the club are even planning to meet with Ajax to discuss the possible transfer.
However, all the reports are firmly indicating that Manchester United are actually the favourites to land the 24-year-old Argentine international.
Martinez has made it clear to Ajax that he wants to play in the Premier League next season and the Eredivisie side will also not stand in his way if an interested club is ready to meet their €50m valuation.
Lisandro Martínez, back in Holland today – he’s been very clear with Ajax telling the club that he only wants to leave to try his first Premier League experience. 🚨🇦🇷 #Ajax
Manchester United are pushing as ten Hag wants Lisandro as priority – Arsenal, still there fighting. pic.twitter.com/blBc7uBjW7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 4, 2022
Do Arsenal still have a chance to sign Lisandro Martinez?
On paper, Arsenal have not yet given up the fight to sign the centre-back but Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Erik ten Hag is desperate to bring him on board.
The manager has told the Man United hierarchy to get the deal done as soon as possible and the new United boss could prove to be the trump card for the Red Devils.
Romano wrote on Twitter: “Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to be fast on Lisandro Martinez deal. The player is pushing to leave Ajax, he’s been very clear – ten Hag wants Lisandro after Malacia and Eriksen.
“Arsenal are still there, working on Lisandro deal – ten Hag wants him strongly.”
Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to be fast on Lisandro Martinez deal. The player is pushing to leave Ajax, he's been very clear – ten Hag wants Lisandro after Malacia and Eriksen. 🔴 #MUFC
Arsenal are still there, working on Lisandro deal – ten Hag wants him strongly.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 4, 2022
The experts are claiming that the main reason why Lisandro Martinez is so keen to play in the Premier League is that he wants to be reunited with his former manager and if this is true then Arsenal have already lost this race.
It’s not uncommon to see players wanting to play with their ex-managers and if Martinez has the same feelings then it will be really hard for Arsenal to change his mind.
Paying €50m will not be an issue for the North London side but everyone knows that the Premier League is perhaps the toughest league in the world so any player coming in will want the best and most comfortable atmosphere to set in.
Erik ten Hag has already started preparing the current Man United bunch to his style of football which means Lisandro Martinez will just have to come in and play the same brand of football he did for Ajax.
