ERIK TEN HAG wants to land a double blow on his former club Ajax.
Manchester United have raised their offer for the Dutch club’s defender Lisandro Martinez to £42.5million.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is keen to be reunited with Lisandro Martinez at Old Trafford
And they are also looking to hijack Ajax’s move to bring RB Leipzig forward Brian Brobbey back to Amsterdam.
Ten Hag’s Red Devils squad flew out for their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia on Friday, with Tyrell Malacia the only new face on the plane.
The club have stepped up their pursuit of Argentine centre-back Martinez, 24, who is also a target for Arsenal.
United’s new offer beats those put in by the Gunners and is close to the Dutch club’s £45m asking price.
Ajax are mulling over the bid but could try to start a bidding war between the Prem rivals in the hope of getting a bigger fee.
Martinez’s strong links with his old boss Ten Hag could give United the edge.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils have also made contact with Leipzig about Brobbey, 20.
Ten Hag knows all about his fellow Dutchman as he coached the £16.5m-rated striker during his loan spell at Ajax last season.
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United hope to sign free-agent Christian Eriksen, 30, in the next few days so the midfielder can join their tour.
But their long-running attempt to get Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona — billed as their statement signing of the summer — remains stalled.
The Holland international midfielder, 25, is not in any rush to leave, especially as he is owed a sizeable sum in wages.
And former United midfielder Paul Pogba is set to complete his return to Juventus this weekend.
The French international will sign a six-year deal if he passes a medical.
