Arsenal Scouting £32m Man Utd target as M’Vila alternative

With the summer transfer window just around the corner, we’re aiming to keep you up-to-date on all the latest transfer news. Today sees Arsenal linked with a big-money move for a midfielder linked with Man Utd.

Arsenal are considering a move for Manchester United target Javi Martinez, according to the Daily Mail.

The report claims that Arsene Wenger has placed the Athletic Bilbao midfielder on his summer shopping list, and sent one of his chief scouts to watch the versatile Spaniard in action during the La Liga outfits 3-1 Europa League win over Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night.

Martinez, who can play both centre back or central midfield, is believed to be a target for both Manchester United and Barcelona but the Gunners are ready to challenge the duo should their move for number 1 target Yann M’Vila fall through.

Wenger has long-admired M’Vila and the Mail claim he is hoping to secure a deal for the £20m-rated Frenchman in the coming weeks. However, Martinez has been identified as a back-up option in case they fail to land the Rennes enforcer, but the Gunners may struggle to meet the £32m buy-out clause believed to be inserted in to the 23-year-old’s current contract.

Either of these players would be fine additions to the Arsenal squad but out of the two, M’Vila seems the more likely signing. He’s French after all, and we know Arsene knows the French market very well, but it’s the price being quoted for Martinez that makes a transfer to the Emirates unlikely. Wenger is highly unlikely to splash out over £30m on a single player, and even the £20m quoted for M’Vila seems high for the prudent French boss.

Who would you like to see arrive at Arsenal, Martinez or M’Vila? Get involved in the comments section.