Manchester United have finally confirmed that they have come to an agreement with Ajax for the signing of defender Lisandro Martinez for around a reported £46 million, plus an extra £8.5 million bonuses.
The Argentine defender will sign a five-year contract with the club, with the option to extend for a further year, subject to a successful work visa application, medical and confirmation of player terms.
The signing follows on from the completion of both Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen, who have both put pen to paper on contracts that run to 2026 and 2025 respectively.
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Martinez has had quite a rise in European football so far. Signing for Ajax for a fee of £6.3 million in 2018 from Argentine club Defensa, Martinez noted that he originally struggled to adapt to life in Europe.
However, under the management of Erik ten Hag, the 24-year-old became ever more versatile and used to the game in the Netherlands, and has emerged as an incredibly flexible player.
Despite standing at 5ft 9 inches, Martinez is a strong presence at centre-back – but he also has the great ability to play roles both at right-back and further forwards in defensive midfield.
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With Manchester United lacking in the midfield department after the losses of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic earlier on in the window, Martinez could be the perfect option to help Erik ten Hag fuel a competitive nature in his squad and plug multiple holes in the side.
Martinez has had a pretty successful career so far in Europe, winning two league titles with Ajax as well as a KNVB Cup, Johan Cruyff Shield and 2021 Copa America with Argentina.
He will be looking to replicate this at Manchester United, previously indicating he dreams of a move to the Premier League.
He also picked up Ajax's Player of the Year award last season.
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The Red Devils were not the only side interested in the Argentine.
The club faced fierce competition from Arsenal for his signature, who submitted three bids themselves for the player, however ultimately United’s offer was much more attractive to both player and club, with Ten Hag using his personal ties with the player to get the deal over the line.
Manchester United are also looking to finally secure a deal for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, having agreed a fee totalling €85 million with Barcelona for the player, although there are still major hurdles to overcome before the transfer can be finalised.
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The player is reported as Erik ten Hag’s No.1 target who he wishes to build his new-look United squad around the midfielder, but the Catalan club owe De Jong €17 million in deferred wages.
The club have already made two other signings this summer, and are looking to make at least two more ahead of their 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
Having opened their 2022 pre-season tour in a 4-0 win against Liverpool in Bangkok, the club flew to Australia to face Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
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A 4-1 victory over Melbourne Victory saw the club continue their good form during pre-season under Ten Hag.
After playing down under, a meeting against Atletico Madrid awaits his squad in Oslo on 30 July, before a final pre-season fixture the next day against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford the following day rounds off Tour 2022.
Erik ten Hag will then finally make his competitive debut with the club following weekend in the Premier League, with the side due to play Brighton & Hove Albion on 7 August on the opening weekend.
Topics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Lisandro Martinez, Ajax, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Transfers
Dylan Penketh