Lisandro Martínez might be packing his bags for Italy. According to reports from MilanNews.it, AC Milan has the Manchester United defender on its radar as the Serie A side looks to rebuild its back line under new manager Rúben Amorim.
Martínez, 28, was one of the few bright spots in the final stretch of Amorim’s doomed tenure at Old Trafford. And now the Portuguese coach wants to bring the Argentine with him to San Siro. Amorim has identified Martínez and Benfica’s Gonçalo Inácio as his top two targets to kickstart Milan’s defensive overhaul.
Transfermarkt values Martínez at around €40 million. He’s got one year left on his United contract, which pays him £120,000 a week. The club holds an option to extend that by another year, and at minimum they’d be smart to trigger it just to protect his transfer value from dropping.
Injury history hasn’t scared anyone off
Let’s be real about Martínez: the guy has missed big chunks of the last couple seasons with various injuries. But last season was different. He stayed on the field, and more importantly he reminded everyone why top coaches rate him so highly.
There’s always been chatter about his height. He’s 5-foot-9, which is short for a center-back. But if you actually watch him play, that criticism never really holds up. He wins aerial duels. He reads the game well. His left foot is a weapon for building out of the back. And his spatial awareness is legit. Coaches love that combination.
United would probably prefer to keep him. But every player has a price. And if Milan’s recent negotiations for Benfica striker Gonçalo Ramos are any guide, the Italian club isn’t afraid to make an offer that forces a decision.
We’ll see if this actually happens. But with one year left on his deal and Amorim pushing for a reunion, this is a transfer saga worth watching.
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