ERIK TEN HAG URGES MAN UNITED TO INCREASE MARTINEZ AND ANTONY OFFERS

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has reportedly urged the club to increase their offers for Ajax duo Lisandro Martinez and Antony. The Red Devils are understood to have had an opening offer of €50m (£42m) rejected by the Eredivisie champions for centre-back Martinez, while they have also seen a €60m (£51m) bid for forward Antony rebuffed. A recent report has claimed that United have now discovered the valuation of both players, with Ajax wanting €60m (£50.8m) for Martinez and €80m (£67.8m) for Antony.


According to The Times, Ten Hag is now pressing United to make improved offers for the pair, while both players are also hoping to force through a move to Old Trafford. The report adds that Ajax would prefer to recruit replacements before agreeing to sell either Martinez or Antony this summer. Martinez, who made 36 appearances for the Dutch giants last season, has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, but it is thought that the 24-year-old Argentina international would prefer to join Man United.

Antony, meanwhile, is believed to be one of Ten Hag’s primary targets after the 22-year-old Brazilian enjoyed an impressive 2021-22 campaign in front of goal, scoring 12 times and registering 10 assists in 32 appearances across all competitions. The fact that the Red Devils and the Dutch Eredivisie champions have a very healthy and friendly relationship increases the chances of the deals happening but the fact that United have failed to reach the respective valuations of both players has been a stumbling block.

Edwin van der Sar is expected to influence negotiations and make the deals happen but United would have to increase their offers for the players according to the demands of the Dutch club this summer.