Sunday Mirror

Red Devils best bid in Mart war

- EXCLUSIVE BY SIMON MULLOCK

MANCHESTER UNITED have launched a bid to blow Arsenal out of the race for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez by making a £39.6million offer for the Argentine.

United are ready to pay the Dutch club £35.3m up front for Martinez, with a package of guaranteed add-ons worth £4.3m.

Now Ajax are waiting to see if the Gunners return fire in the bidding war by improving their latest offer of £34m.

The Amsterdam giants do not want to sell Martinez this summer and have slapped a £43m valuation on his head to scare off interest.

United boss Erik ten Hag worked with Martinez at Ajax and believes he can add steel to a team that underachie­ved last season.

His Gunners rival Mikel Arteta is also a huge admirer of the Argentina internatio­nal’s versatilit­y to play across the defence as well as a holding midfielder.

But United are currently in pole position to land one of their new manager’s top targets.

 ?? ?? WANTED Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez
WANTED Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom