Edwin van der Sar has opened up on Arsenal’s summer season pursuit of Lisandro Martinez, and Manchester United’s subsequent signing of the Argentine.
Martinez has shortly established himself as considered one of United’s most necessary gamers within the early days of the Erik ten Hag period, overcoming a tough begin to the season to show himself as an asset for his new membership.
However issues might’ve been loads totally different had Arsenal acquired their approach earlier in the summertime switch window, having proven an curiosity in signing the defender from Ajax earlier than United acquired the deal completed.
Van der Sar, who serves as chief government at Ajax, instructed The Athletic of the Gunners’ failed pursuit: “Arsenal got here earlier for Lisandro, however it was an quantity the place we mentioned, ‘Thanks very a lot for the provide, however we’d quite maintain the participant than begin negotiating’.
“With United, it was a bit bit totally different,” he added: “Through the years we’ve had a number of conversations: Daley Blind, Donny van de Beek.
“My job is ensuring I make the very best selections for Ajax.”
Martinez ended up penning a five-year take care of the Pink Devils in a deal value as much as £57 million, with Van der Sar sanctioning the sale to his former employers with a better provide offered.
United would return to do enterprise with Ajax later within the window, parting with a good bigger £86m price to prize Brazilian winger Antony away from the membership.
Harry Symeou hosts Scott Saunders, Brian Goldfarb, Sean Walsh & Ali Rampling from the 90min editorial staff to look again on Brazil ’14 as a part of the ‘Our World Cups’ sequence. We make a journey down reminiscence lane – be part of us!