Ajax identify Lisandro Martinez replacement as Man Utd move close
James Shearman
- Updated: 15 Jul 2022 21:35 BST
- 3 min read
Ajax have entered the race for Rangers defender Calvin Bassey as a replacement for the outgoing Lisandro Martinez.
Martinez is keen to reunite with former head coach Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and a deal is reportedly close.
So, Ajax have been looking at replacements and Bassey is on the Eredivisie club's radar.
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Bassey, who can play at both left-back and centre-back, is valued at £25m by the Europa League finalists, an indication that they are not looking to sell.
''He is fantastic,'' says Rangers boss Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. ''Bassey is a player who is at the beginning of his career, but also a player who is open to coaching.
''He wants to develop himself, and hopefully we can have him longer here because his development needs to be a couple of years more before he reaches the level that he will be comfortable to get into a new team.
''You never know what will happen. The potential Bassey has is massive, that is potential also other teams will notice he has.
''Calvin came in, he is very sharp, very energetic and happy here. I think it is good for him to keep going, and to give everything he has to this team, which he's done really well so far.''
Among the other teams interested in the 22-year-old are Brighton and Aston Villa - coached by ex-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard.
Martinez to Man Utd
"Lisandro Martinez is one step closer to Manchester United," wrote Dutch daily De Telegraaf.
Lisandro Martínez to Manchester United, here we go! Full agreement in place between Man United and Ajax for package up to €55m. Lisandro will sign until 2027, documents now approved. 🚨🔴 #MUFC
Deal done - meeting in Amsterday on Wednesday was the key step. Ten Hag, big factor. pic.twitter.com/qyYskmgNMU— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 15, 2022
"The top English club approached an agreement with Ajax in an hour-long meeting in Amsterdam on Wednesday about the transfer fee for the Argentine defender, which will come out, including bonuses, close to €55 million.
"This is reported by sources close to the negotiations. Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper and Ajax director Edwin van der Sar pushed the transfer in the right direction."
How good is Martinez?
Martinez joined Ajax from Defensa y Justicia in 2019 having failed to break into the first team at his first club, Newell's Old Boys.
He was soon making up for lost time, though, and earned his first Argentina cap two months before joining Ajax.
Relatively short for a centre-back at 5'9", Martinez more than makes up for his relative lack of stature with his performances.
Last season in the Dutch Eredivisie he ranked in the 99th percentile league-wide for tackles, progressive passes and shot-creating actions, and United have secured a special player.
