Lisandro Martinez is set to make a decision between Arsenal and Manchester United this weekend, but neither club have agreed a fee for him yet.

PAMPLONA, SPAIN: Lisandro Martinez of Argentina looks on during the international friendly match between Argentina and Estonia at Estadio El Sadar on June 05, 2022. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
PAMPLONA, SPAIN: Lisandro Martinez of Argentina looks on during the international friendly match between Argentina and Estonia at Estadio El Sadar on June 05, 2022. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The Mirror report that Lisandro Martinez is expected to make a decision between Arsenal and Manchester United this weekend, with both clubs keen to add him to their squad.

The main problem is that neither club have actually come to an agreement with Ajax to sign the defender yet.

Manchester United have bid the highest, offering €50m to Arsenal’s €45m, but Dutch journalist Mike Verweij reports that Ajax are still refusing to sell at €50m.

He claims the offers would have to be even higher for the Eredivisie side to accept.

Sam Dean of The Telegraph writes that though the influence of former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag could be crucial, it’s not currently correct to say Martinez has turned down Arsenal or chosen United. He’s simply waiting for an agreement to be reached with Ajax.

Fabrizio Romano claims that whilst Martinez is tempted by a ten Hag reunion, he has never refused Arsenal, who are still in the race.

Ajax's Lisandro Martinez poses with the Rinus-Michels player of the year award after Ajax won the 36th Dutch Eredivisie title after the football match between Ajax Amsterdam and SC Heerenveen at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on May 11, 2022. (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez poses with the Rinus-Michels player of the year award after Ajax won the 36th Dutch Eredivisie title after the football match between Ajax Amsterdam and SC Heerenveen at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on May 11, 2022. (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

At over €50m, it’s hard to see Arsenal reaching an agreement with Ajax. That seems an extortionate fee for a defender given the current state of the Gunners’ squad, which is pretty well stocked in the back four.

But if Nuno Tavares ends up leaving the club, that’s when the addition of a left-sided defender becomes all the more important. There’s a lot of the summer transfer window to go yet.