- Manchester United is getting ready to take on Lisandro Martinez medicals in Manchester ahead of his big money signing
- Martinez is expected to join Manchester United on a permanent move from Netherlands’s champions Ajax
- Martinez will be the second signing of the Erik ten Hag era after the red devils signed left-back Tyrell Malacia
Manchester United are close to signing Lisandro Martinez and are planning for the player to undergo a medical ahead of his arrival from Ajax, SportsLeo understands.
The deal is understood to be worth in the region of €55m – €50m guaranteed with €5m in add-ons – and the club hope to have the Argentinian international join the pre-season touring party in Australia over the weekend. Finishing touches are now being put on the deal and Martinez should become the club’s second signing of the summer.
Lisandro Martinez (left) with current Manchester United manager Erik ten Hagg in a past match for Ajax. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
Former United player and Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar is understood to have made it clear to the rest of the board to come to an agreement at €55m – they were holding out for closer to €60m – after the player confirmed he wants to move to Old Trafford. Martinez is understood to have rejected Arsenal in favour of United.
Martinez trained on his own on Thursday morning with Ajax keen to ensure he remains injury-free before the move.
Manchester United target Lisandro Martinez. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
United also hope to have Danish international Christian Eriksen join the squad down under upon completion of his medical examinations, which are understood to have been extensive. United have agreed a three-year deal to sign Eriksen on a free transfer, with his earnings set to come in the region of £150,000 a week – with bonuses included on top of that.
A deal remains stalled for top target Frenkie de Jong, with the deferral of wages issue still not sorted out between the player’s agents and Barcelona. The club owe De Jong as much as £17m in wages after he agreed to a pay cut to support the club during the pandemic, as well as an increased annual figure through until 2026.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are attempting to sign a number of new players ahead of next season – Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski among them. They have also renewed the contract of Ousmane Dembele on reduced terms until 2024.
United also retain interest in Ajax winger Antony, though any deal is not close to being agreed. Ten Hag admitted in Thursday’s press conference ahead of United’s next Friday against Melbourne Victory that he wants his attack to be strong on “both sides”. United have had a long-standing issue filling the right wing slot, which Antony is a natural fit for.
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