Arsenal To Test Ajax Resolve With Second Martinez Bid

Arsenal are poised to make a second bid for Argentina International Lisandro Martinez, reports the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano.

The news of the Gunners’ pushing for the Martinez, Ajax’s Player of the Season, came out of nowhere late this week, and since then talks have been accelerating, 

According to Romano, Arsenal technical director Edu is looking to move swiftly on the deal, ensuring no club can poach the services of the man nicknamed “The Butcher”. Taking to twitter, the Italian Journalist wrote:

“Arsenal plan to push again with Ajax for Lisandro Martinez. He's top target for Arsenal”

However, the Gunners are working multiple deals simultaneously, with the Martinez one playing second fiddle currently to the pursuit of a striker, namely Gabriel Jesus: 

“but been told [he is the] main priority for Edu these days is Gabriel Jesus.”

Edu and co. will be keen to wrap up both the deals as quickly as possible, with the countdown on until the start of pre-season. Arteta will want to make sure he avoids a repeat of last season, where an ill-prepared squad succumbed to three defeats to begin the Premier League season. 

If the Gunners were indeed to go into pre-season with four new signings, Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Lisandro Martinez and Gabriel Jesus, then the optimism around the club would be pulsating, an atmosphere that could be a catalyst to a crucial start to the season away at Selhurst Park for the Premier League curtain raiser.