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Manchester United announced the signing of Lisandro Martinez on Sunday, making the defender the club’s third summer addition.
Manchester United have agreed on a bumper wage for the Argentine with The Telegraph reporting Martinez is set to earn £120,000 per week.
Manchester United agreed in the context of the rest of the squad. Martinez’s salary increases from his earnings at Ajax, without being overpaid.
It’s in contrast to Raphael Varane, who The Mirror report earns £300,000 per week, a deal agreed with last summer.
Varane had a high salary at Real Madrid already, a well-earned one after his success there, but to tempt him away, Manchester United needed to match or better his deal there.
A move for Frenkie de Jong would warrant another £300,000 plus per week wage due to his already high wages at Barcelona.
Manchester United slashed the club’s salary bill by £44 million this summer with Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic all released.
So with one potential super-high earner arriving in De Jong, it was important for Manchester United to not load up on other excessive wages, and undo the good work done in reducing the wage bill.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s possible exit would free up £26 million per year in wages. He is the club’s highest earner, ever.
While some may argue that the fee for Lisandro Martinez was somewhat excessive at £46 million plus add-ons, the wages United are paying are more than sensible.
This was the same salary Bruno Fernandes was paid when he signed for United. After a series of strong performances he has been rewarded with an increase, and the same will apply to Martinez in future if he establishes himself as a top United star.