Revealed: When Ajax Will Make Their Lisandro Martinez To Manchester United Decision After €50 Million Bid From Erik Ten Hag's Side

Manchester United have launched a brand new €50 million bid in their pursuit of Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez. According to reports, the Argentine is viewed as a key piece to Erik ten Hag’s rebuild. 

The past few days have been all about Martinez’s imminent decision as to whether he would like to join United or Arsenal.

Both English clubs have been in the race to sign the 24-year-old but just marginally off Ajax’s asking price. 

It felt as though the clubs were waiting to hear of the players true intentions first before putting all of their cards on the table, though United were viewed as favourite's to land the centre-back as per multiple reports. 

News of Martinez having made his decision in favour of the Reds then broke out of Argentina on Thursday night.  

Journalist Gaston Edul tweeted that: “Lisandro Martinez chose to continue his career at Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United. He was the coach who made him stronger as a player and Lisandro took that into account when making his decision.” 

This was swiftly followed by United increasing their initially rejected bid to match Ajax’s valuation, as reported by Mike Verweij. 

This report was then followed by Verweij, as well as Marcel van der Kraan, in The Telegraaf, which said that the bonusses included in the fee are 'easily attainable'. 

Verweij also reported that Martinez has been keen on making the next step in his career for some time, informing Ajax of his intentions last month. The discussed personal terms with United could triple the Argentina international's salary and Ten Hag considers him as an important piece to his era as the United head man. 

Ten Hag is viewed as a crucial part of Martinez’s development in recent years by not only those around the player but by Lisandro himself. Martinez was brought to Ajax after the Dutch champions lost both Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs De Ligt. 

The new United boss initially used Martinez as a De Jong replacement before shifting him into central defence where he became one of Europe’s best at just 5’9”. 

At the time, Ten Hag was quoted in saying that he was looking for a brain in central midfield to replace De Jong and Martinez had that. However, nicknamed “The Butcher of Amsterdam,” the Argentine excelled even further at the heart of Ajax’s defence – winning their Player of the Year award in 2021/22. 

Verweij’s report also stated that even though United’s bid does meet Ajax’s demands, the decision by the club’s hierarchy is still yet to be made. 

He said: “The people within the technical area of Ajax together with the board of directors will this Friday sit down together to decide whether they can allow themselves to refuse the €50 million offer from Manchester United for Lisandro Martinez.” 

This was again backed up in the aforementioned Telegraaf report, which states that Ajax's management, in consultation with their supervisory board, will consider United's latest offer on Friday.

This likely suggests that the Dutch club officials will get together to review the structure of United’s proposed payment – including the achievability of the bonuses – before accepting the offer. All should be decided over the weekend as United jet off to Thailand for the first part of their pre-season tour. 

Though Ajax have played hard ball negotiating over both Martinez and Antony, their philosophy when it comes down to it is to build players up and sell for a profit. Martinez’s value has hit a point this summer that – if met – would be hard to refuse for the Dutch side. 

United obliged and you would figure the deal will be very straight forward from this point onwards. 

Now, it remains to be seen where Ten Hag opts to utilize the player that he knows so well. The Dutch manager can pick his poison because judging by last season alone, United need reinforcements at both centre back and in central midfield. 

With that said, United do currently have six senior central defenders on the books and although it has been reported that as many as three of them may be sold this summer – none have departed the club as of right now. 

Meanwhile, in the engine room, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba have already bid their farewells – leaving United with few proven senior options. 

Naturally, the potential acquisition of De Jong would strengthen Ten Hag’s midfield mightily. As will the imminent arrival of Christian Eriksen. However, neither player is a ball-playing destroyer – or a No. 6 – whose lack of has caused United major issues in recent years. Martinez could be the one to finally patch up that glaring hole. 

Only time will tell where Ten Hag will utilize “The Butcher” should he put pen to paper on a United deal in the coming days. Wherever it may be, the Argentine figures to be an important piece to the puzzle as the Ten Hag era officially gets underway in a month's time.