Manchester United are reportedly seeking to launch a new £39.6 million improved bid for Ajax defender Lisandro Martínez according to The Sun. It was reported on Friday the the club offered €45 million including add-ons for the player with Ajax looking for more.
This bid reported on Friday is more than Arsenal have so far bid for the player but it works out to £38.7 million with Ajax seeking £43 million for the player. It would seem that Arsenal would have to seriously improve their offer for the play to stay in the race.
It has been reported that Ajax’s director of football Klaas-Jan Huntelaar travelled to London on Saturday meeting with United, which was reported by The Mirror. It was suggested that Arsenal would meet with the Amsterdam club this week but it could become too late.
This new bid from United works out to £39.6 million in total with an initial fee of £35.3 million for the player and add-ons of £4.3 million. It is close to the £43 million that Ajax would like to receive this summer and could well sort out this transfer with United pushing hard for it.
Erik ten Hag would like the player to be in his squad ahead of the club leaving for their preseason tour of Thailand and Australia this weekend, which would give United little time to get things done but Tyrell Malacia’s transfer took just a few days, so it is achievable.
The fact that Huntelaar travelled to London to speak with United over the weekend would suggest just how far United have got with this transfer. It could well be that United are now on the final stretch to sign the player, making it three players this week with more on the cards.
Talks between United and Ajax have progressed well which gives a big chance for United to have Martínez on the plane heading to Bangkok on Friday. United will face Liverpool a week on Tuesday before heading to Australia where they will face Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
United are yet to confirm the signing of Tyrell Malacia, who completed his medical at the club on Monday and Christian Eriksen, who has verbally agree a contract with the club. United will be pushing to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona next with that transfer dragging on.
Written by John Walker
