Manchester United Agree 67-Million-Euro Deal to Sign Ajax Defender Martinez

(L to R) Lisandro Martinez of Ajax, Edson Alvarez of Ajax, Jurrien Timber of Ajax with the championship scale, celebrate after winning the 36th Dutch championship title following the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and SC Heerenveen in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 11 May 2022. (EPA)
(L to R) Lisandro Martinez of Ajax, Edson Alvarez of Ajax, Jurrien Timber of Ajax with the championship scale, celebrate after winning the 36th Dutch championship title following the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and SC Heerenveen in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 11 May 2022. (EPA)
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Manchester United Agree 67-Million-Euro Deal to Sign Ajax Defender Martinez

(L to R) Lisandro Martinez of Ajax, Edson Alvarez of Ajax, Jurrien Timber of Ajax with the championship scale, celebrate after winning the 36th Dutch championship title following the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and SC Heerenveen in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 11 May 2022. (EPA)
(L to R) Lisandro Martinez of Ajax, Edson Alvarez of Ajax, Jurrien Timber of Ajax with the championship scale, celebrate after winning the 36th Dutch championship title following the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and SC Heerenveen in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 11 May 2022. (EPA)

Manchester United have agreed a deal with Ajax Amsterdam to sign defender Lisandro Martinez for an initial fee of 57.37 million euros ($57.87 million), with 10 million euros of potential add-ons included, both clubs confirmed on Sunday.

The deal is subject to a medical examination and a visa being granted, with completion expected in the coming days.

The length of the contract was not announced, but a source with knowledge of the agreement told Reuters that Martinez would sign a five-year deal with the Premier League club, with an option for a further 12 months included.

The 24-year-old, who can also play in midfield, will be manager Erik ten Hag's third signing following the arrivals of Dutch left back Tyrell Malacia and Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen.

Ten Hag coached Martinez for three seasons at Ajax after the player moved to the Netherlands from Argentine side Defensa y Justicia in May 2019. Martinez made 118 appearances for the Dutch club.

A new defender was seen as priority for United after their struggles at the back last season. They conceded 57 goals last term, the most among the Premier League's top six and 31 more than champions Manchester City.

The deal comes too late for Martinez to join up with his United team mates on their pre-season tour in Australia. They open the new league campaign at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Aug. 7.



Haaland Hurts Ankle in Man City's Win in FA Cup

30 March 2025, United Kingdom, Bournemouth: Manchester City's Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the English FA Cup quarter final soccer match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa
30 March 2025, United Kingdom, Bournemouth: Manchester City's Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the English FA Cup quarter final soccer match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa
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Haaland Hurts Ankle in Man City's Win in FA Cup

30 March 2025, United Kingdom, Bournemouth: Manchester City's Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the English FA Cup quarter final soccer match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa
30 March 2025, United Kingdom, Bournemouth: Manchester City's Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the English FA Cup quarter final soccer match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa

Erling Haaland was substituted with an ankle injury in the 60th minute of Manchester City's FA Cup quarterfinal match against Bournemouth on Sunday.
The Norway striker hurt his left ankle after Bournemouth right back Lewis Cook landed awkwardly on him in a 56th-minute tackle.
Haaland received treatment, came back on, but soon fell to the ground in pain and had to be substituted, The Associated Press reported.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola was unsure about the severity of Haaland's injury, saying: “I don’t know yet, we’ll have to see.”
The score was 1-1 when Haaland went off, having scored City's equalizer after having a penalty saved in the first half.
City went on to win 2-1 and advance to the semifinals for a seventh straight season.