MANCHESTER UNITED must reportedly pay a staggering £51million to land Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez.
The Red Devils have already had a £42m bid rebuffed by the Dutch champions.
Dutch outlet De Telegraaf state that Martinez, 24, wants to leave and is "demanding" that his club negotiate with United.
However, Ajax are not satisfied with the current bid on the table and have asked for more.
Boss Erik ten Hag worked with Martinez for three years from 2019 to the summer of 2022, winning two Eredivisie titles in that period.
And United legend Jaap Stam insists a transfer swoop for Argentina star would be a smart move.
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The three-time Premier League winner believes the South American would be a huge hit for United – despite his modest 5ft 9in stature.
He is adamant that the player has all the tools to succeed at the Red Devils.
Stam, 49, said: “I have become a big fan of his. I find him a great lad, with a good temperament and a winning mentality. Players like that are a dream for managers to work with.
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“In the past, defenders in England could never be tall enough. But these days, most clubs and managers want to play the ball out from the back.
"He is very skillful, and creative with his passing. The more of these types of player Ten Hag has in his squad, the more his team can keep possession and the less they get hit on the counter-attack.
“As he is so comfortable on the ball, he can also operate in front of the defence – as he has done with Ajax.
“I would not rule out Ten Hag using him in a similar role.”
Ten Hag is relying on familiar faces to kick-start his re-build of Man Utd.
During the summer window, as many as FOUR Ajax stars have been targeted by Old Trafford bosses.
Nicolas Tagliafico, Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Jurrien Timber have all been on the shortlist.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag has confirmed that Harry Maguire will continue to be Manchester United's captain.
And star player Cristiano Ronaldo holds crunch talks with the club as he misses the club's pre-season tour.
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