Edwin Van der Sar has admitted that Ajax didn’t want to sell Lisandro Martinez over the summer but Manchester United’s offer was irresistable.
Edwin Van der Sar has explained how Manchester United mesmerised Ajax into selling Lisandro Martinez over the summer.
Man United raided Ajax in the last transfer market following the signings of Erik ten Hag, Antony and Lisandro Martinez.
United were keen on signing a new centre-back in the summer and were strongly linked with a move to lure Martinez, who was seriously interested in joining his former boss at Old Trafford.
Ajax didn’t want to let the Argentine leave because they weren’t under any financial pressure and as a result, they forced Manchester United into making an offer that would be too much to turn down and of course, United did and the deal was finalised in July.
The Red Devils agreed to pay Ajax a transfer fee that could rise to €65million and Ajax’s CEO Edwin Van der Sar has explained the journey of the deal.
The former Manchester United goalkeeper also confirmed that Arsenal showed interest in the defender but their offer was nowhere good enough.
“Arsenal reported themselves for Martínez. They got told: ‘Many thanks for the offer but we rather keep the player than to start negotiating.’ With Manchester United we already spoke in previous years (Donny & Blind), it’s my job to make the best decisions for Ajax.”