Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez is set to become Manchester United’s 12th Eredivisie signing in the Premier League era.
The Telegraph report he is set to complete his £46 million move from Ajax to Manchester United imminently, although he is not expected to fly out to Australia for the final week of the tour.
The Argentina international has been pictured flying to Manchester ahead of his move to Old Trafford.
The 24-year-old will become the third signing of Erik ten Hag’s tenure, joining Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen as new Manchester United players.
Rio Ferdinand explains where he thinks Lisandro Martinez will play for Manchester United
The versatile Argentine, who could make his debut against Atletico Madrid in Olso, Norway, on Saturday, 30 July, or against fellow La Liga side Rayo Vallecano the following day, in Ten Hag’s first game at Old Trafford, can play at centre-back, left-back or defensive midfield.
With Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Alex Telles and possibly even Brandon Williams all competing for the left-back spot, the seven Argentina international is likely to be deployed centrally by his former Ajax manager.
But standing at 5ft 9in and competing against the likes of Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Ten Hag will predominantly deploy the South American in midfield.
Speaking on his VIBE with Five podcast, Ferdinand spoke about the arrival of Martinez.
The former centre-back said: “I think he’s a good signing. The more I’ve looked into him the better.
“He has the character, he’s a leader and he demands off other people. He can get physical, he’s very aggressive but can also play.”
When pressed on where the left footer will play, Rio added: “I think they’ll be a mix (where Martinez will play). He’s very comfortable playing both positions (centre-back and midfield).
“I think he could play in there [midfield] quite easily. I think they’ll pick and choose the games, and mix it up for when it suits them.
“If it suits them to play him in midfield and have the extra body and resilience in there, in front of the back four and that extra protection from someone who knows how to defend – then I think it may be utilised.
“But if we’ve got a lot of the ball and we’re expected to dominate possession against the so-called lesser teams then he may not be called upon in that position [midfield] and he may slot back into centre-back position or maybe not start at all.
“He gives us more options and that’s what we need in there.”
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