Official: Man Utd sign Lisandro Martinez for €55m
FT Desk
- 17 Jul 2022 09:10 CDT
- 3 min read
Manchester United have announced the signing of Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez in a deal worth €55 million plus add-ons.
The 24-year-old Martinez has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford.
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"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," a club statement read.
The Red Devils turned to Martinez after being frustrated in their attempts to sign Martinez's Ajax team-mate Jurrien Timber, with former Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal, now Netherlands coach, telling him a move to Manchester could jeopardise his World Cup spot.
United thus went all-in on Martinez, who pushed for a move to the Premier League despite Ajax initially wishing to keep him.
An agreement has been reached for the transfer of Lisandro Martinez 🔴🇦🇷#MUFC || @LisandrMartinez
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 17, 2022
Arsenal also put in a bid for Martinez, but the Argentine preferred a move to Man Utd in order to reunite with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag and Martinez enjoyed three successful years together at Ajax, winning four major honours.
Martinez becomes United's third signing of the summer, following the €15m acquisition of Netherlands left-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord and the free transfer arrival of Christian Eriksen.
Ten Hag has been focusing on signing players with Eredivisie experience or with a Dutch background so far this summer.
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 5ft 9in, 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.
In total, Martinez played 120 times for Ajax, winning two Eredivisie titles, a KNVB Cup and a Johan Cruyff Shield. He has been capped seven times by Argentina.
