AJAX DEFENDER LISANDRO MARTINEZ DESPERATE FOR MAN UTD TRANSFER
Lisandro Martinez is ready to ‘go to war’ with Ajax in order to force through a transfer to Manchester United.
New Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is desperate to recruit a new centre-half this summer and is honing in on Martinez. The 26-year-old is also wanted by Arsenal – but it is United who appear favourites.
Ten Hag has convinced his bosses at Old Trafford that a move for the Argentina defender should take priority over other targets. That means, potential moves for the likes of Pau Torres are on hold for now.
Indeed, Martinez’s prospective move to United has been given a ringing endorsement by United great Jaap Stam.
However, efforts to sign him are – like so many other deals for United – not proving easy.
United have made two bids for him so far – the second one topping £43m. Ajax, though, are reportedly seeking nearer the £50m mark – a figure United are, currently, unwilling to go to.
Indeed, they believe their bid for the seven-times capped defender is a fair one. And there is a feeling that it may not be raised.
Lisandro Martinez calls for transfer meeting
That leaves Martinez in a bit of a sticky situation – but the Daily Mirror claims he’s ready to take matters into his own hands.
They claim the 24-year-old is growing increasngly frustrated by Ajax’s stance and is losing patience at the failure to agree a deal.
He has already made it perfectly clear he wants to move to the Premier League this summer. And he’s now reportedly set to meet with Ajax officials to demand they come to an agreement.
The report claims he wants the signing done in the next 48 hours and will make his feelings clear during that meeting.
The Mirror also reports Ten Hag is yet to ask Ajax about a potential deal for Antony, as he waits to see how the Martinez saga plays out.
The delay has cost United the chance to include Martinez on their tour of Asia and Australia.
MOUSSA DEMBELE WANTED BY SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton are looking to the bargain signing of Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, per a report.
The 26-year-old is in the final year of his contract at the Ligue 1 club – and is up for sale at a bargain price.
Having signed Alexandre Lacazette this summer, it increasingly looks like his future lies away from Lyon. And the Ligue 1 club are reportedly seeking just £10m for the striker.
As per The Sun, that has got Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl interested – and the paper claims they are prepping a bid for his services.
Dembele started his career at Fulham, so has had Premier League experience. But it was his time at Celtic that truly served notice of his abilities.
And it was there were Dembele scored 51 goals in 94 outings.
His record in France is also impressive, scoring 67 times in 143 games for Lyon.
However, with just a year left, a cut-price exit looks likely.
And he could become Saints’ sixth signing of the summer after the additions of Joe Aribo and Romeo Lavia this week.
MASSIVE NEW DEAL FOR PHIL FODEN
Phil Foden is likely to become the massive beneficiary of a new deal at Manchester City following some recent departures.
With Gabriel Jesus signing for Arsenal, he looks set to be joined out the exit door by Raheem Sterling. The England winger is on the brink of signing for Chelsea, with details of the transfer emerging here.
As such, he becomes an even more important figure for Pep Guardiola – and now looks set for a bumper pay rise.
As per the Daily Star, Foden will now pocket a new deal worth £200,000 a week. And that marks a huge pay bump for the 22-year-old. He had held talks over a new deal around the new year on a package worth £150,000 a week.
But his decision to wait appears to have paid off, with Jesus and Sterling since departing.
The Star claims his new deal will keep Foden at City until summer 2028. And that will earn him well over £60m in wages in that time.
That deal, however, is dwarved by the money earned by both Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. The star Manchester City duo are both paid £400,000 a week.
