Lisandro Martinez, a defender from Ajax, has agreed to a deal with Manchester United worth up to £57 million. Martinez is expected to sign a five-year deal at Old Trafford.
With an additional €10 million (£8.5 million) in add-ons negotiated by the two clubs, United will pay a guaranteed €57 million (£48.5 million) for the Argentina international defender. Martinez will reunite at Old Trafford with former Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag, who signed him for the team in 2019.
Before he signs a five-year contract in Manchester with the option of another year, which would keep him past the age of 30, the deal is still pending the fulfillment of medical and visa formalities. Completion is anticipated in the next days.
Martinez shared a photo of himself and his agent traveling to Manchester on his Instagram account on Friday night.
The Argentine international was also a target for Arsenal, who gave up their pursuit. Martinez was interested in playing for Mikel Arteta and the Gunners because of their style of play, but he ultimately decided to transfer to Old Trafford.
As part of the customary solidarity payments associated with international transfers, almost €2 million (£1.7 million) of Martinez's fee will be split between his former teams, Newell's Old Boys and Defensa y Justicia, both of which are based in Argentina.
Only two players directed more passes forward per 90 minutes than Martinez did last season, who averaged more passes per 90 minutes than any other Eredivisie player.
"Those figures highlight Martinez's ability to play through defense lines, but he is also skilled at switching plays and spotting team members from a greater distance. No player at Ajax last year averaged more successful long passes per ninety minutes. Martinez, who was chosen as Ajax's player of the year for helping the team win the Eredivisie last season, is short for a center-back at barely 5 feet 9 inches.
His success percentage of 71% last season at Ajax put him second only to Harry Maguire among the current center backs for Manchester United and Arsenal. He made more headed clearances (29) than any other player and won 79 of his 112 aerial duels.
"Martinez is supported by a great reading of the game, but he can also anticipate facing more demanding opponents in the Premier League. He is renowned for anticipating the runs of strikers and cleverly placing himself to make interceptions and tackles.
His versatility and technical skill make him even more appealing to Premier League suitors because of these characteristics.
