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.



Top Seeds Zverev and Sabalenka Advance with Easy Victories at Madrid Open

 Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 25, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev serves during his round of 64 match against Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut. (Reuters)
Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 25, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev serves during his round of 64 match against Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut. (Reuters)
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Top Seeds Zverev and Sabalenka Advance with Easy Victories at Madrid Open

 Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 25, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev serves during his round of 64 match against Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut. (Reuters)
Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 25, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev serves during his round of 64 match against Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut. (Reuters)

Top seeds Alexander Zverev and Aryna Sabalenka scored comfortable victories in their opening matches at the Madrid Open on Friday.

Zverev cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win over home favorite Roberto Bautista Agut, while Sabalenka triumphed 6-3, 6-4 against qualifier Anna Blinkova.

Zverev, the Madrid champion in 2018 and 2021, needed only 69 minutes to extend his winning streak to six matches. The German player moved to No. 2 in the world after capturing the Munich title last week.

"A good match, I knew I had to focus against Roberto," said Zverev, who improved to 24-5 in Madrid. "I knew that it was going to be a tough challenge. This is my favorite center court in the world, I only lost twice here in my entire life. I hope that stays the way throughout the next 10 days and that I can continue playing good tennis."

In the third round, Zverev faces Nuno Borges or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Sabalenka tops Blinkova Sabalenka, winner in Madrid in 2021 and 2023 and last year's runner-up to Iga Swiatek, converted three of her seven break opportunities to defeat the 76th-ranked Blinkova.

The top-ranked Sabalenka will face No. 28 seed Elise Mertens in the third round.

Anastasia Potapova upset eighth-seeded Qinwen Zheng, while 15th seed Amanda Anisimova lost 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 to fellow American Peyton Stearns. Sixth-seeded Jasmine Paolini eased past Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-2.

In other action on the men's side, fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz of the U.S. routed Christopher O'Connell of Britain 6-1, 6-4, and Casper Ruud beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-4.

Juan Manuel Cerundolo beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets, while Danill Medvedev advanced after Laslo Djere withdrew.