Manchester United have confirmed that Lisandro Martinez will become their third signing of the summer transfer window after reaching an agreement with Ajax for his transfer.
The 24-year-old has agreed terms for a five-year contract at Old Trafford with an initial £46.8million fee going to Ajax with a further £8.5m set to come in add-ons, bringing the total up to £55.3m. Martinez follows the £14.1million signing of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord and the arrival of Christian Eriksen as a free agent following his exit from Brentford.
The arrival of Martinez sees new United boss Erik ten Hag secure one of his key objectives of the summer window and it is also a highly significant one, as it demonstrates how the club backed their new coach ahead of their own recruitment department on the deal.
United had identified Villarreal defender and Spain international Pau Torres as a key summer transfer target to bolster their defensive ranks. Indeed, such was the promise of the deal and confidence on all sides that a transfer could be struck, the player’s agents were planning to go to England to conclude the transfer.
That came after a move was 'discussed and negotiated' between the player’s representatives and United. There was an awareness that the club wanted to sign Torres, the defender himself was open to the move and Villarreal would sell at a set price, as they were open to key player sales after missing out on Champions League football.
Indeed, the transfer would have proved relatively simple for such a high-profile move – the transfer had been sounded out 12 months previously when Torres was high on United’s wish-list but the club ultimately signed Raphael Varane from Real Madrid. This summer, all sides were aware that the move could finally come to fruition.
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However, Ten Hag vetoed that move and has instead utilised his personal relationship with Martinez to convince him to join Old Trafford this summer rather than sign for Arsenal, who had first made a move for Martinez earlier in the transfer window.
Martinez starred under Ten Hag across three seasons at the Dutch club following a €7million move from Argentine outfit Defensa y Justicia. The new United boss believes he would enjoy similar success in the Premier League. Ten Hag ensured a deal for the player was prioritised after being unable to land his Ajax defensive teammate Jurrien Timber this summer.
Martinez – primarily a left-sided central defender, also capable of playing in a holding midfield role or at left-back – will compete with Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof for a starting role. The club are likely to listen to offers for Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe this summer to continue rejuvenating their squad.
