Ajax have dropped a bombshell on Man Utd that has left Lisandro Martinez angry and his transfer to Old Trafford in serious doubt, per a report.
Erik ten Hag has instructed Man Utd to pursue a series of transfer targets he is familiar with this summer. Tyrell Malacia has already arrived from Feyenoord and is well known to Ten Hag through his time managing in the Eredivisie with Ajax.
Christian Eriksen trained with the Amsterdam club during his recovery from cardiac arrest, while Frenkie de Jong is a fellow Dutchman.
Elsewhere, Manchester United have lodged bids for Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez and are chasing Brazilian team-mate Antony.
Regarding Martinez, United’s latest bid reportedly totalled £43m. That was the figure the Red Devils were led to believe was Ajax’s valuation.
However, according to 90min, the Dutch side have raised the bar at the last minute.
Their report claims Ajax are determined to extract as much as they can from Martinez’s sale and are perhaps spurred on by the potential of a bidding war between Man Utd and Arsenal.
The Gunners have also bid for the Argentine, though their latest offering was reportedly five million below United’s at £38m.
Ajax up the ante
Regardless, Ajax sense an opportunity to prey on United’s desperation and have reportedly raised the asking price to €60m (approx. £50.5m).
Martinez’s representatives had reportedly told United £43m would have been enough and that is the amount they recently bid.
Yet Ajax’s new stance is likely to test United’s resolve over a player Ten Hag is seemingly intent on signing.
Ajax’s late bait and switch has reportedly gone down like a lead balloon with Martinez. 90min add the defender is ‘angry’ at his club’s actions and believes £43m was a fair price for his services.
Will Man Utd walk away from Lisandro Martinez?
United’s recruitment team are believed to have recommended Villarreal’s Pau Torres to Ten Hag. However, the Dutch boss wishes to sign those he trusts and Martinez never let him down in Amsterdam.
However, it is Man Utd, not Ten Hag, that ultimately has to foot the bill. If they’re unwilling to pay £50m+ for Martinez, the Torres option remains open.
Like Martinez, Torres is left-footed – a key trait Ten Hag is seeking given all of United’s centre-halves are right-footed.
The 90min report adds Torres could be available for £45m. If Ajax have priced themselves out of a move, Man Utd may yet turn their attentions to Spain.
