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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Giuseppe Muro

Arsenal to step up Lisandro Martinez bid after Fabio Vieira deal as Mikel Arteta plots big summer spend

Target: Lisandro Martinez

(Picture: ANP via Getty Images)

Arsenal are targeting a move for highly-rated Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez as they look to continue their summer spending after agreeing a £34million deal to sign Fabio Vieira.

But the Gunners could face competition for Martinez from Manchester United, who are ready to move for the Argentina international after failing to land his Ajax team-mate Jurrien Timber.

Arsenal have identified Martinez as one of their top transfer targets as Mikel Arteta plots a summer recruitment drive at Emirates Stadium.

The 24-year-old, who is valued at around £30million, would provide competition for centre-back pair Ben White and Gabriel.

A deal for Vieira to join Arsenal from Porto is expected to be announced in the next 24 hours.

Arsenal have agreed to pay an initial £30m for the 22-year-old before add-ons, with the midfielder joining on a five-year deal to become their first major summer signing.

The Gunners are also stepping up their pursuit of Gabriel Jesus and remain confident a deal will be reached for the Manchester City forward despite interest from Tottenham.

Raphinha from Leeds is another target.

Arsenal have already signed Brazilian teenage winger Marquinhos from Sao Paulo for around £3m, while also concluding a deal for USA goalkeeper Matt Turner.

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