Arsenal: Arteta 'desperate' to bring 'technically-gifted' £40m star to Emirates | OneFootball

Arsenal are looking to complete a deal for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez as soon as possible, claims journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Argentine is thought to be a key target for manager Mikel Arteta, and O’Rourke thinks he will be desperate to get things wrapped up amid competition from Manchester United.

What is the latest news involving Martinez?

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal have made an offer for Martinez that is worth around £40m when add-ons are taken into account.

The same outlet states that United manager Erik ten Hag also wants to sign the centre-back after working with him at Ajax.

Arsenal, though, seem to be the ones really pushing for Martinez’s signature right now, with the 24-year-old said to be the Gunners’ top defensive target this summer.

Last season, Martinez made 24 appearances in the Eredivisie as Ajax went on to win the title.

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What has O’Rourke said about Martinez and Arsenal?

O’Rourke believes the last thing Arsenal will want is Martinez being in a position where he can choose between the north London club and United.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: “Arsenal and Arteta will be desperate to try and push this deal closer to prevent anybody coming to get him because they don’t want it to come down to a decision for the player between Arsenal and Manchester United. They would like to get the deal wrapped up as soon as possible.”

What would Martinez bring to Arsenal’s backline?

Martinez is perhaps not your traditional centre-half. He stands at around 5 ft 9, which is extremely short for a player in his position, while his strongest attributes are probably his passing and his ability to carry the ball.

As per FBref, the Argentina international has ranked in the 99th percentile for passes attempted, the 99th for progressive passes and the 96th for progressive carries among his positional peers over the last year.

In short, as The Athletic’s Felipe Cardenas put it when Martinez first arrived at Ajax, he is a defender who is “technically gifted”.

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For teams like Arsenal and United who do try to play out from the back, Martinez would be a useful player to have.

The former Defensa y Justicia man is also a very versatile footballer, able to to play at left-back and in midfield. Considering Kieran Tierney’s injury problems, that versatility is likely to appeal to Arteta, too.

It will now be interesting to see whether he ends up at the Emirates or Old Trafford, with both Arsenal and United quite clearly keen on the player.