Man Utd announce Lisandro Martinez transfer with star signing five-year deal

Manchester United have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Lisandro Martinez.

The seven-cap Argentina international, 24, has agreed a five-year deal with United worth £120,000 per week. The Red Devils have agreed to an initial £46.8million fee with Ajax for Martinez with a further £8.5m set to come in add-ons, bringing the total up to £55.3m.

He will become Erik ten Hag's third signing since his appointment after defender Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord and free agent Christian Eriksen. Martinez has been in Manchester over the weekend for his medical and will join up with his new teammates when they return from their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia next week.

"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," confirmed a statement.

The transfer was expected for some time. Martinez was pictured enjoying a "farewell dinner" with his chef and later seen jetting into Manchester. "Heading to Manchester," the player wrote on his Instagram before the flight. Arsenal were also keen to sign Martinez but their interest cooled as the transfer saga reached its climax.

Martinez arrives at Old Trafford with a fine CV as Ajax's reigning Player of the Year. He joined the Amsterdam club from Argentinian outfit Defensa y Justicia in the summer of 2019 and went on to play 120 games and win four trophies - including two Eredivisie titles.

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Martinez was called up to Argentina's squad for last summer's Copa America, a tournament they subsequently won. Lionel Scaloni's side went on to win the Finalissima against Italy in June, a one off game between the champions of South America and Europe.

All of those achievements came after Martinez started playing under Ten Hag, of course, and the transfer sees the manager reunite with one of his former Ajax players for the first time since he left the Amsterdam club for United in May.

United remain hopeful of bringing another one of Ten Hag's former players in the shape of Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford this summer. They've agreed a transfer fee with Barcelona and are trying to persuade him to ditch the Champions League for the Europa League.

Martinez is known for his versatility as he's capable of playing at centre-back, left-back or in front of the back four. There are question marks over his height with him standing at 5ft 9in. In comparison, United's skipper Harry Maguire is 6ft 3in.

The Argentine came through the ranks at Newell's Old Boys - the same academy that Lionel Messi, Ever Banega, Gabriel Heinze, Mauricio Pochettino and Gabriel Batistuta emerged from. He joined Defensa y Justicia - initially on loan - in the summer of 2017.

It's unclear how Ten Hag will deploy Martinez at United. Many fans would like to see him play in front of the back four to offer the likes of Maguire some protection. United's defence is a big problem for Ten Hag as they conceded 69 goals in all competitions last term.