Arsenal: £50m star 'perfect for Arteta' at the Emirates | OneFootball

Arsenal look like they are prepared to chase the signature of Ajax and Argentina centre-back Lisandro Martínez this summer, according to Dean Jones.

Both Manchester United and the Gunners have been linked with the 24-year-old this summer, but Mikel Arteta’s side could make the Argentina international a priority this transfer window.

What’s the latest on Martínez?

John Cross of The Mirror states that Ajax have put a £50m price-tag on Martínez, but Arsenal believe that the centre-back will be allowed to leave, after working on a deal for two months.

And journalist/transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Arteta’s side have submitted a €40m (£34.6m) bid to the Dutch giants to secure the services of the seven-time Argentina international, but Manchester United have also made a bid for the defender according to Hernán Sisto.

It has been well documented that Arsenal have been looking for a left-sided centre-back this summer and Martínez could be the answer to that solution.

And Jones believes that the Argentine will be Arteta’s primary centre-back target this summer due to his versatility.

What has Jones said about Martínez?

He told GIVEMESPORT: “We knew that the two things that they [Arsenal] were looking for beyond that forward, were a versatile defender and a midfielder.

“So that versatile defender to me looks like it’ll be Lisandro Martínez at this stage.

“He can play centre back, he’ll go at full-back if he needs to, he’s a good age.

“He’s the perfect profile for what Arteta’s trying to build here.”

Will Martínez sign for Arsenal?

Arsenal fans will rejoice at the fact they could be signing a centre-half, and Martínez, who has been dubbed by current United boss Erik ten Hag as “an excellent player”, with the club’s need for defensive reinforcements quite obvious.

The 5 foot 10 centre-back made 36 appearances for Ajax last season, scoring one goal and providing four assists for his teammates, according to Transfermarkt.

And Martínez won a combined 80 tackles and interceptions for his club last season according to FBref, suggesting that he could be a colossus in defence at the Emirates Stadium next season.

And an extremely impressive SofaScore rating of 7.61 for his performances in the Eredivisie last season suggest that the title-winning centre-back could be an excellent addition for a defence that is desperate for reinforcements next season.