Why Ajax sold Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United and not Arsenal
Edwin van der Sar admits money was the driving factor in Ajax’s decision to sell Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United rather than Arsenal in the summer.
Mikel Arteta’s side saw an approach for the Argentina defender rejected, but he would still end up leaving the Dutch club when United made their own approach later in the summer.
Erik ten Hag was happy to pay up to £57million for his former player, with Martinez signing a five-year deal at Old Trafford, which also includes the option of a further year.
Van der Sar says Ajax weren’t actively looking to sell the 24-year-old this year but there came a point when the money was too much to turn down.
“They’re good players,” he told The Athletic when asked about the players Ajax sold to United in the summer. “Erik knew them, they fit with his playing style. He wanted the players, we didn’t want to lose them so… you put a high price on them. When you want a player, you probably pay a little bit more. For me, it was a fair negotiation with Richard (Arnold) and John Murtough, and that was it.
“Arsenal came earlier for Lisandro, but it was an amount where we said, ‘Thank you very much for the offer, but we’d rather keep the player than start negotiating’. With United, it was a little bit different. Over the years we have had a few conversations: Daley Blind, Donny van de Beek.
“My job is making sure I make the best decisions for Ajax.”
