Latest Transfer News: Manchester United confident to sign De Jong for lower price, Lisandro Martinez bid placed by Arsenal

In the latest transfer news, Manchester United are confident to sign Frenkie De Jong for a lower price. While Arsenal have bid their first bid for Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.

Manchester United hope to secure De Jong deal for a lower price

Manchester United are confident Barcelona will lower their €85m (£73m) asking price for Frenkie de Jong because of the Catalan club's difficult financial position and the lack of other suitors for the midfielder.

After Barcelona last week rejected an initial United offer of €60m (£51.3m) plus a potential €10m in add-ons, the club may make a second bid of about €70m plus add-ons for the 25-year-old.

United are conscious that Barcelona's finances mean they will almost certainly be forced to sell De Jong to strengthen their squad. His fee and lucrative salary being removed would help the club. There is also an awareness that with the summer market difficult for many teams because of the effects of Covid there is currently little realistic competition for De Jong.

The Netherlands international is Erik ten Hag's prime target, with the new manager retaining an interest in Ajax's Antony, though the winger is one of a few forwards under consideration.

Jurien Timber, whom Ten Hag also wants to sign, is set to stay at Ajax. United have been informed that the defender, who can operate at right-back and in central defence, wants guaranteed first-team football to secure his Netherlands place for the World Cup.

Ten Hag is intent that he help Harry Maguire and Raphaël Varane, his first-choice central defensive pairing, return a better campaign after each struggled last season, and is content with Victor Lindelöf as competition for the pair, United are considering other options in defence and will listen to offers for Eric Bailly, Alex Tuanzebe and Phil Jones. If one or more of these do leave, Ten Hag can move to bolster this area of the squad.

Latest Transfer News: Arsenal 'submit second bid for Lisandro Martinez' as Gabriel Jesus offer rejected

Arsenal are poised to announce the signing of Fabio Vieira after Porto confirmed they had accepted a bid of £34million from the Gunners for his services. And they could make a hat-trick of signings in short succession as they also look to also recruit Lisandro Martinez and Gabriel Jesus. Arsenal have had bids rejected for the pair.

Vieira will add to an already youthful front line with his skill and expertise, although more signings are expected at the Emirates. A defender, midfielder and another attacker are all wanted to join up with Mikel Arteta's squad ahead of the new campaign.

And according to reports, Martinez and Jesus could be the next two to walk through the door, with bids being submitted for the duo prior to the weekend. The Daily Mail suggests that initial talks have taken place between Ajax and the Gunners for Martinez.

A £25m offer was submitted for the versatile Argentine, although that was rebuffed in the knowledge that other clubs are interested in his services and so the Dutch club can drive up his price. Barcelona are also said to hold an interest, and Ajax believe Martinez's talents warrant a fee of around £30m.

With the ability to play at centre-back, left-back and in midfield, Arteta sees the star as a perfect utility player. He could offer competition for Gabriel, and also give Kieran Tierney a run for his money at left-back.

And their transfer business might not stop there, with Jesus also wanted. Goal suggest that a £30m bid for Jesus was rejected on Friday afternoon, with Manchester City keen to pick up a sizeable £50m fee for his services.

The report states that Arsenal are confident of striking a deal with the Premier League champions ahead of the new season, and are accelerating their attempts to agree a deal for the Brazilian.

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