Mikel Arteta given perfect Man United Lisandro Martinez revenge chance by hijacking £68m deal – Bailey Keogh

Manchester United’s reported intentions to disrupt Arsenal’s summer transfer plans must be met with revenge by Edu. The Brazilian can do this by entering the race for Frenkie de Jong.

According to Dutch journalist Mike Verweij, Manchester United are preparing to rival Arsenal and make an offer for Lisandro Martinez from Ajax. The Red Devils have reportedly switched their attention to Martinez after being unable to sign his teammate Jurrien Timber.

This would be a major blow for the Gunners if United were still Martinez. However, with Arsenal’s need to sign a midfielder, snatching De Jong as an act of revenge is certainly an idea that Edu should explore as the Dutch midfielder would be an excellent addition.

READ MORE:Aaron Ramsdale reveals Edu’s key Arsenal negotiation tactic for Arsenal to sign £25m-rated star

According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United are pushing hard to secure the £68m signature of De Jong. There is potential for a reunion with the midfielder and the Premier League’s side new manager Erik ten Hag as they worked together while at Ajax.

Despite the clear links between Ten Hag and De Jong, The midfielder has already given Mikel Arteta a hint on why he could be willing to join the Gunners over the Manchester side, if he does leave Barcelona.

Speaking to Voetbal International back in 2019, he said: “I actually thought Arsenal was pretty beautiful in the past.

“In my mind, I have had the following list for a long time: Ajax-Arsenal-Barcelona, call it the Marc Overmars route. But yes, if you can go directly to Barcelona, then you are also right where you want to be. Faster than you ever dared to dream.”

De Jong would be an excellent signing by Arsenal and it is a deal they should be pursuing. The Gunners will need strengthening in the midfield position, and the Dutchman would be an ideal candidate judging by the types of midfielders that Edu has been targeting ahead of next season, and the fact that he is available for such a bargain.

The 24-year-old joined Barcelona in 2019 and has been one of the standout players since arriving from Ajax, but has struggled to stamp his mark on the club due to external issues surrounding Barcelona. He would be the perfect partner in midfield for Thomas Partey, and the two would create a dominant midfield for Mikel Arteta, who is currently in desperate need of a player in the middle of the park who can control football matches.