Manchester United have agreed a £57m deal for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, who is close to signing a five-year contract at Old Trafford.
United will offer a €57m (£48.5m) guarantee for the Argentine defender, adding €10m (£8.5m) to the add-ons agreed between the two clubs. The move would see Martinez reunite with former Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag, who signed for the club in 2019, at Old Trafford.
The deal is still subject to medical and visa requirements, which are expected in the coming days, before he signs a five-year contract in Manchester, with the option of a 12-month extension, which could see him continue. 30 years old.
On Friday evening Martinez posted a photo on his Instagram account of him and his assistant on the plane with the words “going to Manchester”.
Arsenal were also interested in the Argentina international but conceded defeat in their pursuit. Although the Gunners’ performances, and the prospect of playing for Mikel Arteta, attracted Martinez, he has decided to move to Old Trafford.
Around €2m (£1.7m) of Martinez’s transfer fee will be split between his former clubs, Newell’s Old Boys and Defensa y Justicia, both based in Argentina, as part of the contract fee involved in international transfers.
Why do Man Utd want Martinez?
Sky Sports News chief reporter Melissa Reddy:
“United want a left-back and the manager wants someone who can fit in.
“Under Ten Hag, United will have an aggressive approach, they will create play at the back and they want to have a defender who can be dangerous in several pieces, reliable and reliable in the area.
“He knows Martinez well and feels he fits in. He’s a good defender in big areas when the team is up.
“It will be good for him to close himself off, and he can get the ball out and create attacks which is what the Ten Hag want. He feels this will be money well spent at United.”
Martinez provides brains, brawn and versatility
Sky Sports writer Nick Wright:
“Last season, Martinez went through 90 minutes more than any other Eredivisie player, with only two players leading 90 minutes.
“These numbers underline Martinez’s ability to play against opposing teams, but he also has the ability to change the game and pick out teammates for long runs.
Voted Ajax’s best player in last season’s Eredivisie title-winning campaign, Martinez stands at 5ft 9ins, which makes him a diminutive centre-back.
“Last season at Ajax, he was more successful (29) than any other player and won 79 times out of 112 in the air, which made him successful with 71% and put him second to Harry Maguire between Manchester United and Arsenal. full back.
“Martinez can expect to meet the most opposition in the Premier League, of course, but he is also supported by a clear reading of the game. He is known to anticipate the pace of the attackers and position himself intelligently to create oppositions and distractions.
“These attributes, along with his versatility and technical ability, make him a very attractive prospect for Premier League players.”
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