Ajax respond to Arsenal’s opening bid for key Erik ten Hag transfer target
Posted by  badge Boss on Jun 18, 2022 - 09:51AM
Arsenal are looking to spend heavily this summer (Picture: Getty)

are on the verge of concluding their first major signing of the summer in the form of Porto’s Fabio Vieira and have already identified their next priority target.

The Gunners are set to confirm the arrival of the Portugal Under-21 international within the next few days after the highly-rated playmaker arrived in for his medical on Friday.

According to , Mikel Arteta will now focus his attention on bolstering his defensive ranks with the addition of a of a left-sided centre-half.

Lisandro Marinez has broken in the Argentina national team (Picture: Getty)

The Gunners are also hopeful of securing deals for striker Gabriel Jesus, midfielder Youri Tielemans and Leeds United winger Raphinha, but a player capable of competing with Gabriel Magalhaes is next on the agenda.

The Brazil international impressed last season and was a near ever-present, but with European football on the agenda next term, Arteta feels the Gunners are short in that department while Gabriel himself is said to be a target of Juventus.

Arsenal have reportedly seen an initial €30 million bid for Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez rejected, but are expected to return with an improved offer for a player who is keen to join.

Arsenal are still confident of sealing the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City (Picture: Getty)

Arteta believes Martinez, 24, could act as cover for Kieran Tierney, who frustratingly missed the run-in last season after suffering another injury set-back.

Arsenal have been linked with Tierney’s Scotland international teammate, Aaron Hickey, but are facing competition from a number of Premier League clubs.

, but the Ukraine skipper’s preference is to remain at City and sign a new contract.

to Manchester United, but the Dutchman is enduring a frustrating start to his rebuilding project.

United are struggling to agree a fee with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong, while Jurrien Timber has opted to remain with Ajax.

The centre-half is regarded as one of the best young defenders in European football having broken into Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands national team ahead of November’s World Cup.

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