Manchester United have officially confirmed that they have an agreement to sign Lisandro Martinez from Dutch giants AFC Ajax.
As confirmed by the club’s official website, Manchester United have reached an agreement to secure the signing of Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez from AFC Ajax.
Martinez had grown into a vital asset for Ajax since arriving at the club three years ago. After enjoying tremendous success in the Netherlands, the 24-year-old has decided to follow Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford, in the process becoming the Red Devils’ third signing of the summer following Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen.
Martinez had been a man in demand in the transfer market, with Arsenal also vying for his signing apart from Manchester United. However, the Red Devils pushed harder for the Argentine international as ten Hag was intent on signing the versatile defender, who can play at centre-back, left-back and even as a defensive midfielder.
“Manchester United is delighted to announce the club has reached agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Argentine international defender Lisandro Martinez, subject to medical, to player terms being finalised, and to UK visa requirements,” the statement released by the Premier League giants reads.
Official and now confirmed! Lisandro Martínez joins Manchester United on permanent deal from Ajax, contract until June 2027 with an option for further season. ???? #MUFC
Official fee is £55m (€57m including solidarity payments) plus €10m add-ons. pic.twitter.com/0D9lb41KWa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2022
The Telegraph’s James Ducker has shed light on the financial aspects of the deal, claiming that Manchester United will be paying an initial fee of £46.8 million and another £8.5 million in add-ons, taking the total value of the transfer to £55.3 million. It makes Martinez the second-most expensive defensive acquisition made by the Red Devils after Harry Maguire.
It is also claimed that Martinez has signed a five-year contract with Manchester United until 2027 with an option of another 12 months.
After a slow start to the transfer window, Manchester United are starting to make some major movements. As iterated earlier, Martinez becomes the 20-time English champions’ third signing of the summer following in the footsteps of Malacia, who joined from Feyenoord and Eriksen, who arrived on a Bosman transfer after his contract with Brentford had expired.
Manchester United remain in the market for a new striker amid question marks over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future, while Frenkie de Jong is also a top target for ten Hag’s Red Devils as they look to replace Paul Pogba.
