Manchester United has secured the transfer of Lisandro Martinez from Eredivisie champions Ajax for an initial fee of €57.37 million plus add-ons, the club confirmed on Sunday. The 24-year-old player is expected to become a Man Utd player after completing a medical at Old Trafford.
Martinez will sign a five-year contract with the club, thereby reuniting with his former manager Erik ten Hag, who coached Ajax up until the end of last season when the Red Devils approached him with a new job offer.
Prior to securing the Argentinian’s signature, Man Utd faced competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal in the race to sign Martinez. Ultimately, the 24-year-old player made clear that Manchester United was his preferred destination, personally rejecting any advances made by the Gunners.
Ten Hag viewed Martinez as a priority signing this summer due to the player’s versatility as both a center back and holding midfielder, both areas of play that Manchester United seeks to strengthen. He has become the club’s third confirmed signing this transfer window, following Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord and free agent Christian Eriksen.
With Martinez’s arrival secured, the Red Devils turn their sights to Frenkie de Jong, the Barcelona midfielder who is viewed as ten Hag’s top priority signing this summer.
