Manchester United in pole position to sign Lisandro Martinez

Lisandro Martinez has not closed the door on a move to Arsenal despite Manchester United being tipped to win his signature.

The Ajax defender is a man in demand and his club are holding out for around £43million after rejecting two offers from Arsenal so far.

The first bid was for £30m and the second, rejected earlier this week, was for £38m including add-ons.

It's clear the 24-year old centre back is a player Mikel Arteta really wants as part of his new-look project, however, sources in Holland say it is United who are expected to make a major push for the Argentina international over the weekend and that the pull of Erik ten Hag would sway any bidding war.

Martinez is said to be very high on Ten Hag's wish list and is regarded as their next target after Tyrell Malacia and Frenkie de Jong. For their part United have maintained they would need to offload defenders first with the likes of Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones all looking for fresh starts.

Gallery: Bundesliga transfer window 2022 - updates (DW)

Sportsmail understands that Martinez is open to either possibility and has not closed off the prospect of joining Arsenal should they reach agreement with Ajax.

Martinez, who has seven caps and can play centre back or left back, is on holiday but is following reports regarding his future and relishes the idea of playing in the Premier League for either side.

He remains committed to Ajax in the meantime though, respectful of the platform they have given him since his move from Defensa y Justica in 2019.

United are advanced in negotiations for Feyenoord left-back Malacia while de Jong will be wrapped up too over the weekend as United finalise the structure of payment and bonuses with Barcelona on top of a basic