Pranav Kannan
Transfer News: Manchester United apprehensive about signing Arsenal target Lisandro Martinez
According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein (h/t Metro), Manchester United are apprehensive about signing Ajax Amsterdam centre-back Lisandro Martinez, a player that Arsenal are interested in thanks to concerns about his physical requirements.
Mikel Arteta is supposedly very keen on signing the Argentinian defender to his team and Arsenal are leading the race to sign the Ajax man. The Gunners have apparently seen a €30m bid rejected by the Eredivisie champions so far.
The talented centre-back joined Ajax from Defensa in 2019 and has since then gone on to become one of the best young defenders in the world. A mainstay in the defence under Erik ten Hag at Amsterdam, Martinez’s stocks have been meteorically rising.
The 24-year-old defender has played 36 times for the Dutch giants this season scoring one goal and providing four assists across all competitions. His performances meant he was voted the ‘Ajax Player of the Season’.
Manchester United have been interested in signing the talented defender to the club, especially since Erik ten Hag has been appointed the manager of the Red Devils. Arsenal are keen on signing the player and are far ahead in the race but don’t count United out yet.
The fact that the Red Devils think that Lisandro Martinez does not have the physical requirements to succeed in the centre-back role at Old Trafford seems like a stretch. After all, the talented defender plays for the Argentinian national team in games that are usually physically demanding.
Martinez might not be a starter for La Albiceleste due to the presence of Christian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi but he has impressed in the limited opportunities he has gotten with the national team which shows he has what it takes to succeed at a top club.
Manchester United are in the midst of a rebuild under Erik ten Hag this season and they need a new centre-back ahead of next season. Raphael Varane is likely to continue as a starter but they need a new quality defender to pair with the Frenchman.
Lisandro Martinez would be a great option for the Red Devils. Having played under Erik ten Hag, the Argentinian will not have trouble adjusting to the Dutch tactician’s playstyle and it could be the best solution.
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However, Arsenal seem to show more desire to snap up Lisandro Martinez. It remains to be seen if Manchester United have some other option in mind or make a late dart for the Ajax man. Regardless, if we do sign the Argentinian, he will definitely not be a bad signing.
