Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd tick another Lisandro Martinez box with imminent deal to spark development Ten Hag will love

Erik ten Hag and Lisandro Martinez at Ajax

Man Utd have struck agreements on both the transfer fee and personal terms regarding Lisandro Martinez, and a report has revealed the deal could come at just the right time for Erik ten Hag.

The Argentine, 24, became the subject of a heated transfer battle between Manchester United and Arsenal. Both sides lodged bids with Lisandro Martinez determined to join up with one of the Premier League’s big hitters this summer.

Arsenal reportedly viewed him as a future left-back, while United see him continuing as a centre-half.

There had been talk Ajax had moved the goalposts by raising their price tag from £43m to over £50m.

That prompted United to bid £46m – a fee the Athletic reported Ajax had finally accepted.

Now, a new update from the Athletic claims an agreement over personal terms is also in place. With those two key hurdles cleared and the player fully on board with the move, a deal is inevitable.

Fabrizio Romano subsequently gave the move his signature here we go seal of approval on twitter.

The Athletic noted the appeal of linking back up with Erik ten Hag helped swing the pendulum United’s way. Ten Hag was in charge when Martinez was brought to Amsterdam and his coaching helped develop Martinez into the player he is today.

The move could be officially confirmed in the coming days and the recent progress Man Utd have made could come at just the right time.

Lisandro Martinez could join Australia tour

United are down under for the Australian leg of their pre-season tour. While there, they will face Melbourne Victory today before squaring off against Premier League sides Crystal Palace (Tuesday) and Aston Villa (Saturday).

The report adds that Martinez could in fact jet off to Australia and join the tour if his deal crosses the line very shortly.

That would be music to the ears of Ten Hag who is hard at work instilling his philosophy into his new side.

Indeed, pre-seasons are never more important than when a new manager is introducing a new system and methods. If their 4-0 victory over Liverpool earlier this week is anything to go by, the United players are responding to Ten Hag well.

While Martinez is more than familiar with Ten Hag’s methods, the rest of the United squad aren’t familiar with Martinez.

And with just three weeks left until the new season begins, the quicker Man Utd can integrate Martinez into their preparations, the better off both he and the club will be.

United window coming together, but De Jong issue remains

Martinez will become Ten Hag’s second or third signing this summer depending on when a Christian Eriksen deal crosses the line.

Tyrell Malacia was the first with Ten Hag opting for the strategy of signing tried and tested players he knows will fit his system.

The biggest fish United are seeking to hook remains Frenkie de Jong. United have seen a bid worth an initial £63m accepted by Barcelona, but convincing the player to move is proving difficult.

The latest reports suggest he has instructed his agents to tell Man Utd to end their chase. That won’t stop Barcelona from attempting to force him out, however, with it speculated they could leave him off their pre-season tour.

The issue of a reported €17m owed to De Jong in deferred wages is another hurdle United could do without.

Barca need the cash from a De Jong sale to help finance other moves. With De Jong standing firm thus far, it is up to Ten Hag and United to convince the Dutchman Old Trafford is once again the place to be.