Arsenal schedule meeting with Ajax over Lisandro Martinez after United bid | OneFootball

The race to sign Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez is heating up.

Arsenal have long pushed to sign the Argentina international, but they will need to fend off interest from Manchester United, who have a clear advantage being managed by the player’s former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.

That said, Arsenal remains a candidate for his signature.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal will meet with Ajax next week to discuss a deal to sign Martinez, after United offered €40m guaranteed, along with a potential further €5m in add-ons for the versatile centre-back.

The report claims United see Martinez as a centre-back of a different profile to rival Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.

It is also noted that Ajax will not stand in the player’s way if an offer came in from the Premier League, with Martinez seemingly keen on the idea of moving to England this summer.

Hopefully this saga doesn’t drag on and Martinez can join up with the squad before they travel to Thailand for the start of our pre-season tour.

It would very disappointing if Arsenal were to beat us to his signature this summer.