Manchester United target Lisandro Martinez ‘keen’ on Arsenal transfer as Mikel Arteta plots position change

Lisandro Martinez is willing to leave Ajax for Arsenal this summer after the Gunners tabled a new £34.5million bid for the in-demand defender, who is also being chased by Manchester United.

The north London club have already wrapped up a deal for Porto playmaker Fabio Vieira this summer while Gabriel Jesus has undergone a medical ahead of his imminent £45m switch.

Next up, manager Mikel Arteta wants to beat United to the signing of Martinez, who is now the primary defensive target for Arsenal.

According to The Athletic, it is the Argentine’s versatility that appeals to Arteta the most and, although he has played predominantly as a centre-back for Ajax, he could be moved into a new position.

Arsenal feel he could provide an ‘interesting option’ at left-back, not dissimilarly to how Takehiro Tomiyasu – who was a centre-back when he signed last summer – has made the right-back role his own.

Martinez would offer cover and genuine competition for the injury-prone Kieran Tierney while also being able to fill in across multiple positions in the back-line.

Capable of playing in either a back three or back four, the 24-year-old – who was named Ajax’s Player of the Season – can also slot into his more natural position in the heart of the defence and provide cover for Gabriel Magalhaes in the left centre-back role.

Additionally, Martinez would also offer midfield cover too – a role he has performed more regularly for Ajax, much more so than the left-back role.

Arsenal were left light on options in midfield last season, particularly while Thomas Partey was injured, and Martinez’s potential arrival would provide much-needed depth.

Despite Arteta having a versatile, squad role in mind for him, the Argentine is said to be ‘keen’ on a move to