Man Utd target is ‘priority’ for Ten Hag – player has ‘very clear’ stance amid Arsenal links

Lewis Oldham
Man Utd target Martinez

According to reports, Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez is a priority signing for Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag this summer.

The 24-year-old has spent the last three seasons in the Netherlands with Ajax. He has played 120 times for them across all competitions.

The centre-back has helped them win the Eredivisie title on two occasions. He has also lifted the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield.


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Martinez has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks. Man Utd and Arsenal are both admirers of him.

Last week it was claimed that the player ‘prefers’ a move to United over Arsenal.

Fabrizio Romano is now reporting that Martinez is a ‘priority’ for Ten Hag, while Arsenal are ‘still there fighting’.

He notes that the defender has been ‘very clear’ with Ajax that ‘he only wants to leave to try his first Premier League experience’.

Elsewhere, Chelsea are ‘considering a move’ for Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo, according to David Ornstein.

The 37-year-old has reportedly told the Red Devils that he wants to be sold this summer.

Adding fuel to the fire, Ronaldo did not return for pre-season training duty on Monday after being granted permission to delay his return due to ‘family reasons’.

United are adamant they will not give in to the player’s demands as he still has a year left on his contract.

The Portugal captain returned to Old Trafford last summer and had a solid goalscoring season in a bitterly disappointing campaign for the club as a whole.

Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Napoli have all emerged as potential destinations for Ronaldo, who wants to play for a club in the Champions League.

According to The Athletic, the Blues are ‘considering’ making an approach for the United legend.

Todd Boehly – who recently took over the reins of the Stamford Bridge club – met with Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and discussed the potential signing of the player, amongst other subjects.

‘Conversations between the pair have since continued’ and Boehly, alongside fellow director Behdad Eghbali, are ‘intrigued’ by the prospect of signing such ‘an iconic figure’.

Unsurprisingly, the opinion of Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel will be ‘key’ in the club’s pursuit.