Manchester United and Ajax have reached an agreement for Argentina central defender Lisandro Martinez to move to Old Trafford.
The transfer is still subject to a medical, contract and visa, with completion expected in the coming days. The fee will be €57 million ($55.44m) plus €10m in add-ons for a five-year deal.
"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," United said in a statement.
Martinez, 24, joined Ajax in 2019 from Defensa y Justica in Argentina. He can play as a left-sided central defender or in central midfield, but he has been signed as a defender.
He made his full international debut in March 2019 and becomes United’s third incoming signing of the close season after Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen.
New manager Erik ten Hag has pushed for the signings of all three players and he still wants Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong to join him in Manchester. United and Barcelona have agreed a fee for De Jong.
Ten Hag was keen to be reunited with Martinez, who he signed for Ajax in 2019.
The Dutch club were reluctant to let Martinez leave but United chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough progressed the deal when they visited Amsterdam last week.
Manchester United ratings v Melbourne
-
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Tom Heaton - 6. Conceded a tap in after four minutes in Victory’s first game of the season, though hardly his fault. The only United player who stayed on the pitch for the second half as he played for 90 minutes. Firm with high balls. Getty -
Diogo Dalot - 6. Crossed for the second goal after getting beyond the full-back. Ten Hag likes his full-backs to attack – and that’s why he’s liking Dalot. Getty -
Victor Lindelof - 6. Out of position for the opening goal. United played a high line in defence which will take some getting used to and the takes on the team’s structure and style of play under the new manager were more interesting. Getty -
Harry Maguire - 6. First minutes of the season and he was outpaced for the opener. Pushed up as United played a high line and headed a Shaw corner over on 36. Getty -
Luke Shaw - 5. The opening goal, which was too easy, came down his side unchallenged. Not as good as he was against Liverpool. AFP -
Scott McTominay - 6. United’s first decent effort on 17 minutes, then struck a 43rd minute shot which deflected in for United’s equaliser. AP -
Fred - 6. Volleyed over after 38 and was involved in the build-up for the second goal. Didn’t put a foot wrong. Getty -
Bruno Fernandes - 6. Crossed for McTominay on the right early on, then got a shot on goal after a promising move on 25. Lively on the right. AFP -
Anthony Martial - 7. Started slowly like his team and failed to direct a 41st minute Elanga header towards goal, but did put United ahead on 43, finishing an Elanga set up from close range. AFP -
Jadon Sancho - 8. Played on the right in a 4-3-3 formation and gave an excellent pass forward to Fernandes on 25 as United struggled to break down the A-League side. His 35th minute shot was deflected wide, but there have been encouraging signs pre-season. Getty -
Anthony Elanga - 5. Teed the ball up for Martial to put United ahead after his side had struggled to break down the defensive shape of the Australian side. Must do more if he’s going to establish himself in the side. AP -
(Team in second half) Ethan Laird - 6. Tangled with Miranda and seemed agitated by the foul. Useful minutes for the full-back, but his passing hardly impressed. AP -
Eric Bailly - 7. The best player in the previous friendly against Liverpool, he sliced a 70th minute ball near his own goal and was fortunate to get away with it. Then gave the ball away to set up another attack on 75 – yet he also set up United’s third with another run forward. Getty -
Alex Telles - 5. Back to make a challenge after an 80th minute Melbourne attack. Getty -
Tyrell Malacia - 6. Little involved as most of Melbourne’s attacks came down the right. Did cross to Rashford on 81, who headed on target. Getty -
Zidane Iqbal - 8. Assured in front of a large 74,157 crowd in the 101,000 capacity stadium. Best moment saw him out-muscle an opponent and then twist past him with a flurry of skill. A confident boy, he’s having a great tour. Getty -
Charlie Savage - 7. As good as he was against Liverpool on Tuesday. Busy, combative, composed, good positioning, impressive. EPA -
Donny van de Beek - 5. Rarely involved. Played as a ten, tried, made runs and found some good positions, but needs a big step up if he’s to feature in United’s first team under his former boss. Reuters -
Tahith Chong - 6. Full of effort and ran at his man and squared in the 89th minute. His perseverance was rewarded as the ball was turned in by defender Lupancu to make it 4-1 in the 89th minute. AFP -
Amad Diallo - 5. Barely involved in the middle of the attack. AP -
Marcus Rashford - 7. Got his first goal of the season, calmly prodding in Bailly’s ball. Headed another effort on target too towards the end. AP
