Lisandro Martínez stands out at Ajax. Photo: @AFCAjax
After being chosen as Ajax’s best player of the season, and being voted on by several Premier League giants, everything indicates that Lisandro Martínez would finally be one step away from Ten Hag’s Manchester United, who already had him under his orders for three years. From Europe, they ensure that everything is agreed for the defender to join the Red Devils in return 50 million euros.
The defender who emerged from Newell’s would enter a select list. (REUTERS / Agustin Marcarian)
It seems that Arsenal’s approaches were not enough, neither to convince the 24-year-old defender, nor to meet the expectations of the Dutch club. Erik Ten Hag would play a key role in the reigning champion of America with the Argentina national team in Brazil 2021 by reaching an agreement with United. Now, in the absence of official confirmation, Martínez would be one signature from maintaining an unprecedented brand.
And it is that Lisandro would be considered the most expensive Argentine defender in history, beating Cristian “Cuti” Romero. So far the Tottenham defender has been the owner of this brand, which he has obtained since his arrival at Spurs in 2021, in exchange for almost € 50 million. Thus, the former Newell’s and Defense would also enter the top ten of the most expensive Argentine footballers in history. Let’s go through the full list.
1- GONZALO HIGUAIN AT JUVENTUS
Higuaín with the Juventus shirt, celebrating one of his many goals. (AFP)
The Old Lady executed in 2016 the exit clause of Pipita, who was at Napoli. 90 million for your passage So far, Argentina with the highest value in the history of the markets. The balance of that overtaking that cost him the affection of the Neapolitan fans? He has won five local titles in three seasons and scored 66 goals.
2- ÁNGEL DI MARIA AT MANCHESTER UNITED
Fideo in his few good moments in Manchester, where he only played one season. (REUTERS)
After the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and a season in which he won the Champions League at the hands of a great Real Madrid, Fideo was transferred to Manchester United for 75 million euros. It lasted only one season, without meeting expectations. Then he moved on to PSG, also for a millionaire.
3- ANGEL DI MARIA AT PSG
Fideo had a lot of fun in France. Not so much for England. (AFP)
A year after his move to United, Di María was sold to the Parisian club for 63 million euros. He played for seven years and won 18 titles with the French. He recently left the current transfer market, consecrated as one of the greatest idols in the history of Paris Saint Germain.
4- HERNÁN CRESPO IN LAZIO
Valdanito with the Lazio shirt, where he showed one of his best versions. (AP)
The “Valdanito” Crespo broke the market in the 2000/01 season when he moved from Parma to Lazio for a real fortune. Almost 56 million euros for his file. He stayed there for two years and won a title, thus entering the history of Italian football. He will later play for Inter, Milan and Chelsea, before donning the Parma shirt again to end his successful career.
5- LISANDRO MARTÍNEZ AT MANCHESTER UNITED
Lisandro Martínez would once again be directed by Ten Hag. Only the signature is missing.
After three seasons at Ajax, Lisandro would go to the English club a figure that would range between 50 and 55 million euros. His direction will still be Ten Hag, with which he showed the best performances of his career, those that led him to enter the Argentine national team. The signature is still missing. In Europe they already take it for granted.
6- CRISTIAN ROMERO AT TOTTENHAM
Romero in action at the Spurs, where he gets stronger and stronger. (AFP)
And it’s time to review the case of those who, until now, he was the most expensive Argentine defender in history of football. The current national team defender has been transferred from Atalanta in Italy to Tottenham in England in exchange for some 50 million euros in 2021. He continues, increasingly entrenched, in the team of the Italian Conte.
7- MAURO ICARDI AT PSG
Icardi with Neymar and an image that we will no longer see for next season (AFP)
In 2020 the striker was bought by the French club in exchange 50 million euros for Inter. After two years Icardi – with ups and downs – continues at PSG, but would not be taken into consideration by the new DT Christophe Galtier for this new season. Now there is talk of a return to Italian football, but the truth is that at the time he was acting in a transfer of records.
8- GIOVANNI AL TOTTENHAM CLOSES
Lo Celso at the London club, where his hours would be counted. (REUTERS)
The Spurs paid 48 million euros in total for the midfielder del Rosario, in January 2020. They had initially paid 16 to Betis from Spain on loan, and then the remaining 32. Lo Celso, another man of the national team, failed to gain a foothold in the English club and in the last six months he has been on loan at Villarreal in Spain. He has returned to Tottenham but is looking for a team again because he has not been considered.
9- NICOLÁS OTAMENDI IN MANCHESTER CITY
Otamendi with that of the City, on the day of its presentation. (@MCFC)
The Citizen cast delivered in 2015 almost 45 million euros from the then center of Valencia in Spain. He played in England for five seasons and won nine titles. In 2020 he was traded to Benfica by Portugal, but not before making his mark on Manchester City. Until the start of the pandemic, Otamendi remained the most expensive Argentine defender in history.
10- JUAN SEBASTIAN VERON AT MANCHESTER UNITED
Verón on his arrival at United, where he barely spent two seasons. (AP)
Who closes this list, nothing more and nothing less than the Little Witch. He went from Italy to England in 2001 when Manchester United paid 42.5 million euros to Lazio for the midfielder who left Estudiantes. It has been two seasons and he has won a title. He then moved to London, where he played for Chelsea for only one season.
Source: Clarin
