Manchester United look set to finally get their man in agreement with Ajax center-back Lisandro Martinez, one step closer.
United seem to have a clear path to get the 24-year-old after Arsenal cooled their interest in the Argentine, with Ajax accepting the £ 46 million offer from the Old Trafford club.
Martinez will reunite with Erik ten Hag and could become United’s third signing from a frustrating and lengthy transfer window so far.
The defender is one of his former coach’s main targets and could bolster a United backline that sent more goals than Burnley relegated to the Premier League last season.
Here, Sportsmail takes a look at Martinez, his style of play and why the new United coach has tried so desperately to sign him.
Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez appears to be heading to Manchester United from Ajax
Martinez, who worked with Erik ten Hag at Ajax, will meet with the Dutchman
How did you get here?
Born in the Argentine city of Gualeguay, Martínez began playing for Newell’s Old Boys, the iconic ensemble where Lionel Messi rose to fame.
He grew up idolizing his compatriot Gabriel Heinze, who played for Manchester United, the club that pursues his signature.
Martinez began to draw the attention of clubs across Europe for his confidence and ability as a center-left defender.
The Argentine looks at his counterpart and former United defender Gabriel Heinze (left)
Ajax quickly began to raise their heads after it began to impress the new club Defensa y Justicia.
For three years in Holland, he has forged a reputation for his fearsome displays and his tenacity to win the ball in the air and on the ground, earning him the nickname “The Argentine Butcher”.
Martinez has played 118 games for Ajax, including 19 in the Champions League. He played in 36 games in the Dutch club’s title-winning season although he missed the last seven games due to injury.
The tiny defender has also been selected seven times by Argentina and hopes to be included in the selection of the South American team for the World Cup in Qatar.
Why do United – and Arsenal – want him?
Martinez is known for his ball-playing skills and has been described as one of the best in the Eredivisie.
He’s great with the ball at his feet and regularly starts attacks from behind for Ajax with his excellent pass.
Martinez is widely regarded as an excellent defender with the ball and starts attacks from behind
The 24-year-old has been called up seven times by his country and hopes to reach the World Cup
Despite his height – he is 5 feet 9 inches (or 175 cm) tall and will be the lowest center-back in the Premier League if he completes his move to Old Trafford – he is a dominant presence in the air.
Martinez is not afraid to get hooked, in fact, he loves the challenge, is able to play in a three or four and has a decent pace to boot.
Its versatility is another plus. Martinez figured primarily as a center-left under Ten Hag, but has past experience both as a left-back and in the middle of the defensive field.
Ten Hag knows Martinez’s strengths well, but he will also know that the Argentine could take time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
Where would he fit into United?
United already have enough central midfielders to fill more than half of a starting eleven.
Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are all in his books, although the latter seems to be out the Old Trafford exit door.
It is debatable whether Martinez joins the Ten Hag team ahead of Maguire and Varane, but could the Dutchman have given a clue as to where the Argentine sees his team?
United already have six central defenders in their books, including captain Harry Maguire
Speaking to the media after arriving in Thailand on Monday, Ten Hag said the club was still looking for “offensive midfielders and players” and made no mention of defenders, fueling suggestions that Martinez could deploy as a central defensive midfielder, a position that United has had for a long time. necessary to strengthen.
He will have to fight for his place if he is signed as central.
Varane suffered a first-season injury at United but was impressed when he was fit, while Ten Hag have confirmed that Maguire, who suffered a sad season last season, will remain as captain, which is hard to suggest. which will leave the international harassment of England.
United need to change defenders regardless of Martinez’s arrival, with Bailly, Jones and Tuanzebe most likely to move on.
But the flexibility of the Argentine, coupled with his previous relationship with Ten Hag, could count in his favor.
What is your current situation?
Martinez has told Ajax he wants the move and the Dutch giants seem to have finally given in.
Sportsmail reported on Wednesday that United had finally made great strides in their search for the 24-year-old.
United had made a new £ 43million offer earlier this month and Arsenal will not match that offer after the Gunners chose to focus their attention elsewhere.
Ten Hag wants to add Martinez, who can play in various positions, to his United squad
In fact, a £ 45m final bid from United will be enough to bring Martinez to Manchester.
Martinez only signed a contract extension until 2025 in October, but has informed his club that he sees his immediate future outside of Ajax.
He is apparently destined for the Premier League and United will expect to complete the signing in the coming days.