Ajax chief Edwin van der Sar admits Arsenal had offers for Lisandro Martinez rejected before his eventual sale to Manchester United.

The Argentina international was the subject of two bids from the Gunners this summer, though Ajax ultimately rejected a proposal worth around £34m.

Mikel Arteta was keen on the 24-year-old's versatility but eventually turned to Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has quickly established himself as a key player despite injury problems.

“It was our opinion they [Martinez and Antony] should stay for another year," van der Sar told The Times.

“We gave a firm 'no' to Arsenal when they came first for Lisandro; we fought hard to keep him."

Martinez then moved to Manchester United in a deal worth an initial £48.4m plus a further £8.51m and has since ousted Harry Maguire in the first-team.