Man Utd hold talks with Ajax over Antony & Lisandro Martinez deals

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Man Utd hold talks with Ajax over Antony & Lisandro Martinez deals

Manchester United have held discussions with Ajax over potential deals for both Antony and Lisandro Martinez, though the Dutch champions are looking for at least €120m for the pair.

90min has reported on United's interest in Antony since February, though efforts to sign the Brazilian winger have intensified since the club appointed Erik ten Hag as manager.

Ten Hag is targeting central midfield as his first priority to strengthen - with a deal for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong edging closer - while the club are hopeful of convincing Christian Eriksen to join them on a free transfer. Ten Hag, though, would also like to sign an attacker.

Antony has now emerged as United's chief target in the final third, and the club have spoken to Ajax over potentially bringing the 22-year-old to England. Ajax, though, have agreed to sell Sebastien Haller to Borussia Dortmund and Ryan Gravenberch has joined Bayern Munich - meaning they do not need to sell and are prepared to demand high prices for any other outgoings.

Ajax are holding out for as much as £70m for Antony, though the player is pushing hard to move to United and reunite with the manager that brought him to Europe. United value Antony at a much lower fee and are hopeful the player's desire will help convince Ajax to lower their demands.

United are also looking for a new centre half, and have turned their attention to Martinez having now accepted that Jurrien Timber, another Ajax player and an initial target, will not be leaving Amsterdam this summer.

Arsenal are also interested in Martinez and have made two offers of their own - the latest being around £34m - as they look to strengthen with a player able to play in central defence, defensive midfield and at left-back. Martinez has informed Ajax he would like to leave the club this summer.

Ajax feel their valuations on both players are fair and are standing firm as it stands.

Man Utd have also maintained contact with Villarreal about Pau Torres, who they established as a transfer target last summer before signing Raphael Varane. United retain interest in the Spanish international, who is keen to move to England, though United are concentrating on other positions first.