Lisandro Martinez & Antony Pressurising Ajax To Accept Manchester United Offers

Manchester United have received a £106m demand from Ajax in order to secure the transfers of centre-back Lisandro Martinez and winger Antony.

Both Martinez and Antony have become key targets for Manchester United since the opening of the transfer window, with both players addressing positions United need reinforcing.

Writing for Record Sports, Duncan Castles has reported that Ajax wish to receive a substantial profit on both players, as both players leaving will require serious investment from the Dutch club in order to sign replacements.

However, it adds that both players are applying pressure on the Dutch club to accept United's current offers for the pair of them.

Castles went on to say that new Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has employed a personal relationship with Lisandro Martinez in an attempt to draw the Argentine away from Amsterdam.

It was also mentioned that personal terms are in place for both of the deals.

Recent reports have suggested that both players are eager for a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United the preferred choice by both players.

Arsenal have also displayed serious interest in Martinez, with a £34m offer for the centre-back rejected earlier in the window.

Signing Martinez will be a huge boost for United ahead of the 2022/23 season, with current starting centre-backs, Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane, having their own respective problems in the 2021/22 season.

Maguire was subjected to heavy scrutiny from fans and pundits due to poor form over the season as a whole, leading to questions over both his ability and leadership.

Varane was plagued with injury problems during the season, making it difficult for the Frenchman to enjoy a consistent run of good form.

Bringing in Martinez will provide both competition and cover at the back, with many suggesting that the 24 year-old could take a starting spot for himself in the side.

Equally, Antony’s arrival would signal an exciting level of attacking intent from the United board, as the club attempt to increase their fire power, following a generally poor season in front of goal.

While Antony generally plays as a right-winger, he has the ability to operate as a number nine, operating more centrally should the team require this.

It is highly likely that the team will indeed require this malleability, with Cristiano Ronaldo making his intention to leave Old Trafford this summer clear.

Ronaldo was United’s only confident option at striker last season, scoring 24 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions.

Other striking options include Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, neither of which have experienced high levels of form over the past couple of seasons.

This clearly demonstrates United’s dire need for another forward which can play across the line.

It remains to be seen as to whether United meet the demands of Ajax in order to secure both players, with the club currently fixated on bringing Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford in a deal which itself could cost roughly £60m.

Manchester United made their first and only signing of the window so far in the form of Dutch left-back, Tyrell Malacia, from Feyenoord for £14.6m.

While Malacia appears to be an astute signing, it fails to address both the need of the squad and the hunger of the fans, both of which could be addressed through the securing of Antony and Martinez.