Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez is reportedly tempted by the prospect of a Premier League move amid links with Manchester United and Arsenal.
The 24-year-old cost the Amsterdam giants just £6.3m to sign from Argentinian outfit Defensa y Justicia in the summer of 2019, and he quickly became a regular under Erik ten Hag.
The versatile Argentine - who is capable of featuring in the heart of defence or midfield - has made 118 appearances for Ajax in all tournaments, scoring six goals and setting up six more.
Martinez's 2021-22 season saw the defender score one goal and provide four assists in 36 matches, and he continues to be strongly linked with a move to England.
Arsenal and Man United are both rumoured to be in the race to sign the South American, with Ten Hag keen to reunite with his former Ajax protege at the Theatre of Dreams.
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According to the Daily Mail, Martinez is 'attracted' at the prospect of turning out in the Premier League, even though he remains content with his situation in Amsterdam.
Arsenal appear to be ahead of Man United in the race to sign Martinez, and the Gunners have reportedly tabled a second bid of £35m to try to prise the defender away from the Netherlands.
However, Ajax are understood to have slapped a £43m valuation on the head of Martinez, who extended his contract with the Dutch giants until 2025 last October.
The versatile Argentina international has won two Eredivisie titles and one KNVB Beker crown with Ajax over the past three years and was named the club's player of the season last term.
Arsenal are said to be attracted to the prospect of utilising Martinez as a left-back, with the Gunners already welcoming William Saliba back to compete with Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White at centre-back.
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Left-back Nuno Tavares endured a shaky first season at Arsenal, though, and the club are supposedly willing to let the 22-year-old leave if they can secure the signature of Martinez.
Meanwhile, Man United could be set to lose numerous centre-backs this summer, with Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe all expected to leave as part of Ten Hag's summer reshuffle.
The Red Devils are yet to make a summer signing in the current transfer window but are now believed to have reached a "broad agreement" with Barcelona for Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
In contrast, Arsenal have already signed Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira and Matt Turner and are expected to announce the capture of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City in the coming days.
Ben Knapton
