Manchester United are hopeful of completing the signing of the Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martínez this week after “successful” talks with the Dutch club in Amsterdam on Wednesday. The two clubs were locked in negotiations for several hours before reaching an agreement in principle for the 24-year-old centre-back, who is an Argentina international. Discussions will continue on Thursday, with the structure of the payment one issue to still iron out. The fee will be €50m (£42m) plus add-ons for a player who has spent the past three seasons at Ajax under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s new manager. Martínez has won two league titles and a Dutch Cup with Ajax since joining from Defensa y Justicia in Argentina in 2019. United are, meanwhile, refusing to give up on their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong and have agreed a deal with Barcelona for the Dutch midfielder after further talks. The overall package would cost United €85m with a guaranteed €75m plus the rest in add-ons. Personal terms have not been agreed yet with De Jong still keen to stay at Barcelona.