Arsenal are aiming to secure their fifth transfer of the summer after submitting a third bid for Ajax defender, Lisandro Martinez.
According to a report from The Sun’s Gary Stonehouse and Charlie Wyett, the Gunners aren’t holding back on securing their main defensive target after submitting an improved £34m bid.
Martinez has attracted plenty of interest with his ability to play as a versatile defender and central midfielder, with Arsenal keen to test him out as competition for Kieran Tierney.
At just 24 years of age, the Argentinian fits the mould of Mikel Arteta’s profile for players as he looks to build a team ready to compete across all fronts in the next five years.
If successful, Martinez would add to the recent arrivals of Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos, a package of players that would total over £100m in transfer fees.
The Gunners are now preparing for a bidding war with Manchester United who have recently caught wind of the potential signing and want to hijack the deal.
Arsenal were in pole position but it seems the Dutch side now want to entertain the Premier League clubs fighting it out for a player they have no desire to sell.
Recent reports from other senior journalists have suggested that Martinez is open to a switch to the Premier League, so this really comes down to one thing, the transfer fee.
It’s believed Ajax are holding out for a total of £43m once add-ons are included, but Arsenal are once again trying to negotiate sensibly rather than splash the cash without a care.
Arsenal had a £26m bid immediately rejected last week, but as United begin to focus their interest on bagging Frenkie de Jong and Tyrell Malacia, it seems Edu and team are wanting to get business done.