Unsettled Man Utd heading to the exit door as two Spanish giants battle for his services
Atletico Madrid have joined Barcelona in the race in the race for Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez.
The Argentine international has been a stalwart at the back for the Premier League giants since the summer of 2022, when he accompanied his Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
Like the vast majority of his teammates, the 28-year-old hasn’t been at his best this season. He committed a few costly blunders at the back, especially against Fulham and Tottenham, and he then vented his frustration on the hierarchy in a shocking rant.
Why Lisandro Martinez is destined to leave Man Utd
After Man Utd’s defeat to Atletico Madrid, Martinez astonishingly blamed the Man Utd hierarchy for the club’s woes, singling out Director of Football Jason Wilcox, saying the squad had expected him to do a better job in the summer.
The defender released a public apology a few days later and was slapped with a fine, but unlike Bruno Fernandes, who criticised Michael Carrick’s tactics, Lisandro was never dropped from the lineup.
But despite patching things up in public, most observers believe Martinez is a goner, especially with his contract expiring in June.
Some sources suggested United could activate their option to extend Lisandro’s contract for another year only to guarantee themselves a transfer fee when they sell him this summer, or even in January.
Barcelona & Atletico Madrid both interested in Martinez
According to AS, Atletico Madrid have entered the fray for Martinez, offering competition for Barcelona, who are in the market for a new defender.
At Diego Simeone’s court, Lisandro wouldn’t only work under a fellow Argentine, but he would also reunite with his longtime national team partner-in-crime, Cristian Romero, who has already expressed his desire to bring his fellow 2022 World Cup winner to the Spanish capital.
While Spain appears to be the defender’s most likely destination, a move to Italy shouldn’t be ruled out.
The source names Como, Inter Milan and Roma as the three Serie A clubs that could emerge as potential contenders in the race for the seemingly departing defender.
