Rio Ferdinand thinks Newcastle striker Chris Wood could cause Arsenal and Man Utd target Lisandro Martinez issues next season if he moves to the Premier League.
The Argentina international looks very likely to end up in England next campaign with both the Red Devils and the Gunners keen on bringing him to the Premier League.
Martinez, who contributed a goal and three assists in 24 league appearances last term, was one of Ajax’s best players last season as they won the Eredivisie title under new Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag.
A report claimed yesterday that both Man Utd and Arsenal had made ‘generous bids’ for Martinez but that the Red Devils are prepared to go higher than their rivals.
And now Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf have claimed that Man Utd have made a fresh offer of €50m, including bonuses, for the centre-back.
The report adds that Ten Hag ‘has gone the extra mile’ to sign Martinez and the Ajax board ‘must consider’ whether they ‘can afford’ to turn down a bid of that size.
Argentine media outlet TyC Sports are now reporting that Martinez has now decided to snub Arsenal in favour of a move to Man Utd this summer.
But former Man Utd defender Ferdinand has his doubts over whether Martinez – who is 5ft 9in tall – will be able to handle coming up against tall forwards like Newcastle’s Wood every week.
Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five Youtube channel: “You have to be ready physically to deal with these big forwards. Nunez and Haaland have come in at Liverpool and City, they’re over 6ft 2 each, you have to come up against these guys on a regular basis.
“Chris Wood at Newcastle, these are big, big guys. Is he going to be able to deal with people like that the size that he is? He’s on the smaller side as a centre-half.”
Former Netherlands and Ajax star Marciano Vink has claimed that the Premier League doesn’t suit Martinez and that he would struggle to get into Arsenal’s team if he moved there.
Vink told Voetbalpraat: “You never know, of course, but if there are so many economic gains to be made, Ajax should always focus on the next one. I think €40m should definitely be negotiable.
“I think White is good, and Gabriel is still a bit unpolished. Neither of them are brilliant builders.
“He would be brought in for the position of left central defender, and I don’t think they’ll take Gabriel out…
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