Lisandro Martinez is a Manchester United player at long last – but Erik ten Hag’s side aren’t done there. Express Sport understands the club are continuing to work on a deal for Frenkie de Jong, while they’re also still holding out hope of bringing Antony to Old Trafford. Deals for the pair won’t be straightforward, however.
Manchester United’s first signing of the Ten Hag era was Tyrell Malacia, with the left-back moving from Feyenoord to provide competition for Luke Shaw.
Then, earlier in the week, the Red Devils confirmed Eriksen’s arrival.
And United have now stated they’ve agreed a fee with Ajax for Martinez, who is set to earn £120,000-a-week at his new club. They said in a statement: “Manchester United is delighted to announce the club has reached an 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.”
He will move for an overall fee of around £55m, once bonuses are included.
The Argentina international will offer a different profile to the likes of Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.
And the 24-year-old’s versatility will come in handy, too, with Martinez also capable of playing in midfield.
Now, United will work to add more players to their squad.
They want to land De Jong, with the Barcelona star currently in the United States for the Catalan giants’ pre-season tour.
Manchester United had, previously, been hopeful of landing De Jong in time for the start of the new Premier League season.
But with complexities over a deal arising, the Red Devils are willing to play a waiting game as they seek to bring the 25-year-old to Old Trafford.
Manchester United have agreed a fee with Barcelona for De Jong, with Ten Hag’s side willing to pay an initial £63million to get the player in.
Yet the Netherlands international would still prefer to stay at the Nou Camp, despite often struggling for consistency under Xavi, Ronald Koeman, Quique Setien and Ernesto Valverde.
There have been murmurings in Catalonia that De Jong flatly has no interest in joining United.
But reports on these shores have said otherwise, insisting the 25-year-old is ‘willing’ to make a move.