Manchester United are ready to gazump Arsenal and sign Lisandro Martinez – after failing in their efforts to land his team-mate Jurrien Timber.
New United boss Erik ten Hag made central-back Timber his No.1 defensive target, but the Dutch international was advised not to make the move by Holland coach and former Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal. Timber, 21, is said to have taken on board van Gaal's advice and decided a move to United, with the World Cup less than six months away, is too much of a risk at this stage of his career.
That has seen ten Hag and United switch their attention to Timber's club colleague, 24-year-old Argentina international Martinez, who was a regular under the newly-appointed Old Trafford coach. Arsenal had a bid of £25million for Martinez rejected by Ajax last week, and the Gunners fear United could now ultimately beat them to the capture of Mikel Arteta's top defensive target.
United need to make signings quickly, with the squad returning for their first pre-season campaign under ten Hag a week today, and no new faces having been added. Having lost five established first-team players this summer in Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani, United are under pressure to strengthen their squad.
The Red Devils are currently £15million apart from Barcelona in their valuation of midfielder Frenkie De Jong, while a move for free agent Cristian Eriksen has failed to materialise. United fans are understandably getting increasingly frustrated with their club's lack of activity in the transfer market, while all of their rivals, including Manchester CIty and Liverpool, are buying players.
Chief executive Richard Arnold was filmed by a group of United fans he met in a Cheshire pub, admitting last season was a “f****** nightmare” but insisting funds are available to buy players. Arnold also admitted United “f****** burned through cash” suggested his predecessor and good friend Ed Woodward was at fault for choosing signings himself, rather than leaving it to managers.
“We’ve f***ing burned through cash,” said Arnold. “We spent a billion pounds on players, we spent more than anyone in Europe. I'm not thrilled with where we are, it doesn’t sit easy and we’ve got to get this sorted.
“Last year was a f***ing nightmare. I was hating every minute of it.” In a clear dig at Woodward, Arnold added: “Do you want me buying the players? Doesn’t that ring a bell?”
