Transfer Centre

Edwin Van der Sar reveals Arsenal failed with Lisandro Martinez bid over summer

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 19 November 2022

Van der Sar reveals Arsenal failed with Martinez bid over summer

Ajax CEO Edwin Van der Sar says that Arsenal had a bid turned down for Lisandro Martinez before the Argentine joined Manchester United.

Ajax CEO Edwin Van der Sar has revealed that Arsenal had a bid turned down for Lisandro Martinez before the central defender made the move to Manchester United.

The Argentina international's future was the subject of much speculation over the summer, with Arsenal, at one point, believed to be at the head of the queue for his signature.

Man United ultimately signed the 24-year-old, though, with the club paying Ajax in the region of £57m.

Martinez has been a key player for the Red Devils during the 2022-23 campaign, making 21 appearances in all competitions, including 14 outings in the Premier League.

Van der Sar has said that the Gunners "came earlier for Lisandro", but the Dutch champions were not prepared to accept the amount that Mikel Arteta's side had placed on the table.

Edwin van der Sar pictured in May 2017 © Reuters

"Arsenal came earlier for Lisandro, but it was an amount where we said: 'Thank you very much for the offer, but we'd rather keep the player than start negotiating'," Van der Sar told The Athletic.

"With United, it was a little bit different. Over the years we have had a few conversations: Daley Blind, Donny van de Beek. My job is making sure I make the best decisions for Ajax."

In a separate interview with The Times last month, Van der Sar said that Ajax had been determined to keep hold of the South American, but they were ultimately unable to reject the offer that arrived from Old Trafford.

"It was our opinion they should stay for another year. We gave a firm 'no' to Arsenal when they came first for Lisandro; we fought hard to keep him," said Man United's former goalkeeper.

"It was [an] economic [decision] but it was a hard one to take. We knew there was interest but not at that level and it was too late to find a good replacement."

Manchester United attacker Antony pictured on October 27, 2022 © Reuters

Man United also brought in Antony from Ajax over the summer, with the Red Devils paying in the region of £85m to sign the Brazil international late in the transfer window.

The 22-year-old has also been an important player for Erik ten Hag's side since his arrival, scoring three goals in 11 appearances in all competitions.

The Red Devils are still believed to be interested in raiding Ajax for more players, with Jurrien Timber again being linked with a switch to the club, while Edson Alvarez is also thought to be a target.

Man United are not expected to be overly active during the January transfer window due to the amount that was spent over the summer.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, which now appears almost certain following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, would leave the club short of options at centre-forward.