Ajax are reportedly willing to sell Lisandro Martinez in a major boost to Manchester United and Arsenal 's chances of signing him.
The pair of Premier League giants have both seen transfer bids rejected in their pursuit of the 24-year-old, who Mirror Football understands is ready to force a move out of Amsterdam. Now, though, both United and Arsenal can make another attempt after learning that Ajax are prepared to discuss Martinez's potential departure if their increased asking price of €55million (£46.2m) is met.
Unlike a few days ago, according to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, the Eredivisie champions are now open to negotiating over the Argentine's future, who they ideally want to keep but acknowledge is desperate for a move to the Premier League. Ajax are said to be aware that United are prepared to increase their offer, having submitted a bid worth £39.6m which was turned down last week.
While Arsenal remain in the race after the crucial u-turn, the Red Devils look to be the frontrunners after multiple reports labelled them Martinez's preferred destination. New United boss Erik ten Hag is likely to be a significant factor in that decision, as the 52-year-old managed the left-footed centre-back for three seasons at Ajax before his departure this summer.
Martinez may well follow him to Old Trafford and bolster the Red Devils' defensive options, although could operate in midfield, where he played for Defensa y Justicia before his £6m move to the Johan Cruyff Arena in 2019. Speaking in a press conference on Monday, Ten Hag told reporters that United were on the lookout for midfielders and forwards in the transfer market - not defenders.
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The Dutchman has long regarded Martinez - nicknamed "the butcher of Amsterdam" for his aggressive style of defending - as a versatile player, using him in a host of positions during their trophy-laden spell together. "He can play left-back, left central defender and left controlling midfielder," Ten Hag stated last season when asked about the Argentina international. "He has good technique, overview on the ball, duelling power, but he has less walking ability, for example."
Red Devils legend Jaap Stam also thinks that Martinez has the ball-playing attributes to operate a in holding midfield role and fill a problem position for his ex-club. "Because Martinez is comfortable on the ball he can also play in front of the defence. And I don't rule out that ten Hag will use him there," Stam explained.
"You can see that ten Hag's approach is clearly to dominate games and to control the opponent's half. When you play with a lot of space in the back and you need players who are reasonably fast and not afraid to cover. Tyrell Malacia has that and Martinez certainly does. The fact that ten Hag wants to reunite with Martinez, a Copa America winner, has to do with his footballing qualities.
"Martinez is very skilled and creative in his passing. The more players he has like that, the more ten Hag can keep the ball and the less counters they'll face. What is also important for that, especially in the strongest league in the world, is communication and who he might be paired with at the heart of the defence."
