Arsenal have submitted an improved offer to sign Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez in an attempt to beat Manchester United to his signature this summer. The Gunners are vying to wrap up their priority centre-back transfer target before United turn their attention towards bolstering Erik ten Hag’s defence.
According to Mike Verweij, Arsenal have made a second, improved bid worth £34million (€40m), including bonuses, for Martinez. However, Ajax look set to turn the Premier League outfit away again because they’re holding out for a guaranteed £41m (€50m) to sanction his sale.
The transfer offer is a signal of Mikel Arteta’s intent to strengthen his defence with Martinez in the summer transfer window. But while it’s an upgrade on the £26m (€30m) Arsenal bid the first time, Ajax are not yet budging on one of their most prized assets.
The 24-year-old’s versatility will undoubtedly appeal to Arteta – capable of playing as a left-back and defensive midfielder. With Nuno Tavares in talks over a loan move away from the Emirates Stadium, he would be battling for a starting berth in central defence while providing cover for Kieran Tierney on the left.
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