-Ikenna Okafor
United director of football John Murtough and chief executive Richard Arnold held extensive talks with Ajax counterparts Edwin van der Sar, Gerry Hamstra and Klaas Jan Huntelaar on Wednesday before returning to Manchester. Further talks followed on Thursday to iron out finer details and a deal is now in place.
Lisandro’s determination to make the move happen was key with Ajax initially reluctant to sell the 24-year-old who was the club’s player of the year last season.
They rebuffed offers from Arsenal and United at first but Lisandro intervened when it became clear United were serious in their pursuit and the player received assurances from Ten Hag.Ajax had enquired about Mykola Matvienko of Shakhtar but have made an offer for Bassey. Brighton have also made a move for the 22-year-old Nigeria international who impressed during Rangers’ Europa League campaign and is valued at £25m.
Lisandro, whose idol is former United defender Gabriel Heinze, has won three league titles since joining in 2019 from Defensa y Justicia.
Though not the tallest centre-back at just 5ft 9ins, Lisandro reads the game well, is good in one-on-one situations and an astute passer of the ball. A fans’ favourite in Amsterdam, he can play at centre-back, left-back and holding midfield where former United defender Jaap Stam believes he could excel.
Man U agrees £46m Martinez deal