Manchester United have made a €50m bid to sign Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, though Arsenal are still in the race.

Ajax' Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez (C) runs with the ball during the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Willem II and Ajax at the Koning Willem II stadium in Tilburg, southern Netherlands, on February 19, 2022. (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
Ajax’ Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez (C) runs with the ball during the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Willem II and Ajax at the Koning Willem II stadium in Tilburg, southern Netherlands, on February 19, 2022. (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Dutch outlet De Telegraaf report that Ajax have received a new €50m bid from Manchester United for Lisandro Martinez, including bonuses.

The Eredivisie club are set to consider the offer today, to decide whether they can afford to turn such a big bid down.

Arsenal are still in the race for the defender, but their latest offer was only €45m, so they’d need to raise it by another €5m to match United.

Some reports on social media had suggested that Martinez had already decided to join United if both Premier League clubs agreed a fee, but these claims have been denied by multiple reliable sources.

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.

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)

Of course, if Ajax accept United’s latest offer, then time certainly starts to run out.

Arsenal would likely need to match the offer immediately, and then convince the player to join them instead of moving to Manchester.

If Ajax turn down the offer, we’ve probably reached the point where signing Martinez just isn’t good value anymore.

Either way, the odds of the defender joining Arsenal don’t look great right now.