Manchester United prioritise signing Lisandro Martinez over Barcelona midfielder – report

The 2022 summer transfer window is inarguably one of the biggest in recent years, with the biggest of names in football rumoured with a switch. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland put an exit to their exit links, with the former staying at PSG, while the latter moved to Manchester City.

Barcelona are also linked with blockbuster transfers, with Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, and Bernardo Silva, on their list of targets.

Even on the opposite end of the spectrum, the club is dealing with some huge exits, like Ousmane Dembele and, more notably, Frenkie de Jong.

The Dutchman is linked with a move to Manchester United, but the transfer has been held up because Barcelona still owe money — deferred wages and bonuses — to the player, according to James Ducker.

Amidst all this, United have set their sights on Ajax duo Antony and Lisandro Martinez. In fact, Martinez has taken priority for the Red Devils over de Jong.

The Ajax centre-back has been linked with a move to Arsenal as well, but Erik ten Hag could be the necessary deal-breaker that pushes the odds in favour of United.

Barcelona demand around €85 million for de Jong, a sum Man United are only willing to match in the form of bonuses. They have submitted an offer of around €65 + 20 million, according to the latest reports.

That said, Barça president Joan Laporta has been public about his desire to keep the midfielder at the club.

“Frenkie de Jong is Barcelona player – we don’t want to sell him unless we have no other choice. Of course we know there are offers for de Jong – but we don’t want to sell him,” Laporta said during Franck Kessie’s presentation today.

This saga will drag on for a few more weeks, especially with Barcelona in a dire financial situation.