OFFICIAL: Manchester United confirm the signing of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax for £46.5M rising to £55.3m

Manchester United have reached an agreement with Ajax for Lisandro Martinez the club has announced. The deal is subject to medical, player terms being finalized, and a visa being acquired. Barring any dramatic changes, he will rejoin his former coach, Erik Ten Hag, in the north-west of England. Telegraph claim he will earn around £120,000-a-week over his 5-year contract at Manchester United. The Argentine center-back becomes the clubs third signing of the first transfer window following the signing of Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen.

Lisandro Martinez is one of the best ball-playing defenders around. Last season, Martinez averaged more passes per 90 minutes than any other Eredivisie player, while only two players directed more passes forward per 90 minutes. He makes up for his height with excellent tenacity. Not that there is a lot to make up for. His 5ft9 frame is always used to judge him, but he wins over 60% of his aerial duels and had the highest overall duel success rate in the Eredivisie last season. Martinez’s versatility is also another tantalizing aspect of his signing. He can play in the middle of defense, as a left-back, and a defensive midfielder.

Lisandro Martinez was a target for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, but has chosen to take his talents to Old Trafford. He was voted Ajax’s player of the year for his role in their Eredivisie title triumph last season. Will he bring some solutions to United’s backline?