Man Utd agree £45m deal with Ajax for Martinez

Manchester United are on the verge of completing their third summer signing after agreeing a £45m deal with Ajax for Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez.

United manager Erik ten Hag was keen to be reunited with the 24-year-old, who he signed for Ajax in 2019.

The Dutch club were reluctant to let Martinez leave but United chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough progressed the deal when they visited Amsterdam last week.

Martinez prefers to play on the left side of two central defenders and Ten Hag appeared to be planning for his arrival with his team selection against Melbourne Victory on Friday, when he moved captain Harry Maguire from his normal left-sided role to the right.

Martinez has flown to Manchester for a medical and to wrap up the remaining elements of the transfer, including getting a visa.

It is thought unlikely he will fly to Australia to play any part in United's current tour and instead will link up with his new team-mates when they return to England on 24 July.

It has been a busy few days for United's recruiting staff.

On Friday, they confirmed Christian Eriksen had signed a three-year contract while efforts continue to lure Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford from Barcelona.

Despite reports that Netherlands midfielder De Jong may be left out of Barca's US tour to encourage him to agree a move, he has been named in the squad.

Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia was United's first summer signing at the start of July.

Source: BBC