After a slow start to the summer, Manchester United's transfer window is finally sparking into life.
United have already wrapped up deals for Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen, and they've now confirmed the imminent transfer of Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez.
Premier League rivals Arsenal had also been interested in signing the 24-year-old — who can play at centre-back, left-back and in midfield — but the prospect of playing under Erik ten Hag has seen United win the race for his signature.
MORE TO READ: United should consider £25m De Jong alternative
You can almost guarantee that Martinez will be a popular player among the fans, given his desire to roll his sleeves up, get stuck in and make a nuisance of himself. Supporters love nothing more than watching a player who gives 110 per cent every time they cross the white line on Saturday afternoon.
With that said, you can guarantee that no shortage of supporters will want his name on the back of their 2022/23 replica shirts. To go alongside his name, the supporters would also be keen to sport his shirt number. But what shirt number will he be assigned.
Since joining Ajax in July 2019 from Defensa y Justicia, Martinez has always sported the No.21 shirt, meaning it has become something of a trademark symbol in Amsterdam. Given that Edinson Cavani was released by United following the expiry of his contract last month, Martinez will be able to continue that trend at Old Trafford.
Cavani donned the No.21 shirt last season after Daniel James left United to join Leeds United. Cavani started the season by wearing No.7, but Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the club meant that he reclaimed the famous No.7 shirt, forcing the Uruguayan, once the Premier League had given the thumbs up, to take No.21.
Although the No.21 shirt has been Martinez's trademark number at Ajax, he has worn other numbers in the past during his club career, including No.6, No.14 and No.24. All three numbers are currently available at Old Trafford, with Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard recently vacating the No.6 and No.14 shirts, respectively.
READ MORE:
