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.



Jeddah to Host World Pool Championship, Snooker Masters in July, August 

The events are part of a strategic partnership between the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom Sport, in collaboration with the World Nineball Tour (WNT) and the World Snooker Tour (WST), and under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Sport. (SPA)
The events are part of a strategic partnership between the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom Sport, in collaboration with the World Nineball Tour (WNT) and the World Snooker Tour (WST), and under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Sport. (SPA)
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Jeddah to Host World Pool Championship, Snooker Masters in July, August 

The events are part of a strategic partnership between the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom Sport, in collaboration with the World Nineball Tour (WNT) and the World Snooker Tour (WST), and under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Sport. (SPA)
The events are part of a strategic partnership between the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom Sport, in collaboration with the World Nineball Tour (WNT) and the World Snooker Tour (WST), and under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Sport. (SPA)

Jeddah is scheduled to host two rounds of the World Pool Championship and the Snooker Masters Championship in July and August.

The events are part of a strategic partnership between the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom Sport, in collaboration with the World Nineball Tour (WNT) and the World Snooker Tour (WST), and under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Sport.

The World Pool Championship, returning for the second consecutive year, will be held from July 21 to 26 at the Green Sports Hall in Jeddah. It will feature the world’s top 100 players competing for a total prize pool of $1 million.

The Snooker Masters Championship, ranked as the fourth most prestigious tournament on the professional snooker calendar, will be held from August 8 to 16. It will bring together 128 professional players from around the world, along with 16 Saudi players.

The total prize pool for the event will be two million British pounds, making it the second most valuable event in terms of prize money on the 2025 World Snooker Tour.

The tournaments are part of the Ministry of Sport’s ongoing efforts to boost the Kingdom’s global presence in specialized sports, in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 to empower the sport sector and expand its economic and social impact.