Manchester United agree ￡45m deal for Lisandro Martinez with Ajax

Manchester United are closing in on their third summer signing after agreeing a ￡45m deal with Ajax for Argentinian defender Lisandro Martinez.

United manager Erik Ten Hag is keen to reunite with the 24-year-old, who signed him for Ajax in 2019.

The Dutch club were reluctant to let Martinez leave, but United chief executive Richard Arnold and director of football John Murtaugh pushed ahead with the deal when they visited Amsterdam last week.

Martinez prefers to play on the left side of the two centre-backs and Ten Hag appeared to be preparing for his arrival against Melbourne Victory on Friday when he moved captain Harry Maguire switched from his normal role on the left to the right.

Martinez has flown to Manchester for a medical and completed the remainder of the transfer, including obtaining a visa.

It is thought he is unlikely to fly to Australia for United's current tour, instead joining his new team-mates when he returns to England on July 24.

It's been a busy few days for Manchester United's recruiters.

On Friday, they confirmed that Christian Eriksen has signed a three-year contract as they continue their efforts to lure Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona to Old Trafford.

Dutch defender Ter Malacia was their first summer signing earlier this month.