Arsenal may need as much as €40m to sign Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, although he’d only be a backup player at the Emirates.
That’s according to footballer turned analyst Marciano Vink, who questions whether a move to the Premier League would make sense for the Argentine.
Martinez has been linked with a move to Arsenal over the last week or so, with the Gunners continuing their rebuild this summer.
It’s believed he is being targeted to bolster the left-back position in Mikel Arteta’s squad, with that area of the squad having been a problem one for Arsenal amid injuries to Kieran Tierney and a difficult first year for Nuno Tavares.
Whether they can get a deal over the line remains to be seen, but Vink has questioned whether the move makes sense for the player.
“Martinez is a very good and tough defender. He also shows it in the Argentinean team,” he told Voetbalpraat, relayed by Ajax Showtime.
“I think the system and the way in which Ajax played and the combination with Timber made him an even better player. They are two pit-bulls standing there.
“He has a very good pass and creates a good build-up. He sees the game well. I only wonder if he is really suitable to play in England. I’d rather see him in the Spanish league. I think that suits him better.
“You never know, of course, but if there are so many economic gains to be made, Ajax should always focus on the next one. I think forty million should definitely be negotiable.
“I think White is good, and Gabriel is still a bit unpolished. Neither of them are brilliant builders.
“He would be brought in for the position of left central defender, and I don’t think they’ll take Gabriel out at Arsenal just like that. If they get Martinez, I think they’ll get him for the bench. As a back-up.”
