Arsenal are going to 'make one big push' to strike an Emirates Stadium deal for Lisandro Martinez amid ongoing interest in the Ajax man from Manchester United, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been looking to bolster his options ahead of the new season and, having already parted with close to £90million in order to welcome reinforcements, he has set his sights on landing Martinez.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones
What's the latest news involving Martinez?
According to The Athletic, Arsenal are set to hold talks with Ajax officials in the coming days as the race to sign Martinez intensifies.
The report suggests the Gunners and Premier League rivals Manchester United believe the seven-cap Argentina international is happy to join them and personal terms are not expected to be an issue.
Arsenal have already tested Ajax's resolve with three offers, but each of them have fallen short of the reigning Eredivisie champions' £43million asking price.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have upped the ante in their pursuit after holding talks with Ajax director of football Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and lodging a bid worth £39.6million.
Martinez has reportedly told his current employers that he wants to move to the Premier League ahead of the summer transfer window's deadline on September 1.
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What has Dean Jones said about Martinez?
Jones believes Arsenal are not backing down in their ambitions to land Martinez ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Although the transfer insider understands that Manchester United are the frontrunners for the 24-year-old's signature, he feels heading to the Emirates Stadium could be a better option.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "They definitely will make one big push and they'll try to sell this vision of the club. They'll try to show him the progress that they've made under Arteta.
"While it looks like United are ahead of them in terms of progress, they are taking a step back to start again under Erik ten Hag, whereas Arsenal are continuing a pathway they've been building under Arteta and they've been getting these really good players to become part of the project."
Why is Martinez at the centre of a tug-of-war?
Martinez may not boast Premier League experience, but he has made 177 appearances over the course of his club career and enjoyed plenty of success along the way.
Not only has he picked up plenty of silverware during his time on Ajax's books, but he has also won the Copa America at international level.
Martinez has just enjoyed an impressive campaign, with him registering an average match rating of 7.6, so it is clear whoever wins the race for his signature will be acquiring a consistently high-performing central defender.