Manchester United may have already paid £48.3million to Ajax for defender Lisandro Martinez, but they’re due to pay the Dutch giants an extra £56,000 every time he makes an appearance for the Red Devils.
United finally announced the signing of Martinez on Wednesday, with the defender joining the club on a five-year deal. Along with the outright fee, a total of £8.5m in add-ons was agreed as part of the sale.
And it turns out that the add-ons are performance based, with Ajax set to receive a small fortune for every appearance Martinez makes for his new side.The clause has no restriction either, meaning that United will still have to pay up even if Martinez makes a cameo appearance as a substitute.
It’s often in the modern day that transfers involve add-ons, as incentives and clauses are used to keep the fees low but the potential rewards high. And a bonus for total appearances made is also something that’s not totally new, although usually a lump sum is paid when a target is reached.
However, United have agreed to pay Ajax ever time Martinez plays, for the entirety of his five-year deal at the club. This is capped at 30 appearances per season, but over the course of five years it’s expected that United will pay the full amount of £8.5m in bonuses.
Therefore, on top of the £48.3m fee, and the £120,000-a-week salary that United will pay Martinez, they could have to cough up £1.7m a season as Ajax are set to receive a constant stream of funds. But regardless of the structure, United have their man, after beating Arsenal to the signing.
Erik ten Hag has stuck very close to home so far this transfer window, as he signed Tyrell Malacia from his homeland after scouting him at Feyenoord, and then the Dutchman signed Christian Eriksen on a free deal after inviting him to train with Ajax last season. Ten Hag has also been pursuing a deal for Frenkie de Jong, who starred under him at Ajax back in 2019.
And the United boss turned his attention to his former club once again by signing Martinez, but he’s also tried to force a move for Brazilian winger Antony. It looks like his raid of Ajax is over for now, but it’s unlikely that those links will disappear anytime soon.
