Lisandro Martinez was spotted in Manchester enjoying an Italian meal on Monday evening ahead of his £55.3million move from Ajax to Manchester United.
Martinez, 24, has agreed a five-year deal at Old Trafford, worth £120,000-a-week. He is expected to be unveiled as Erik ten Hag's third signing as United boss in the coming days after the arrivals of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord and Christian Eriksen from Brentford.
The Argentina international, 24, is already getting used to the food in England by visiting the Don Giovanni restaurant in Manchester, an Italian with a fine reputation. He was joined by his partner Muri Lopez Benitez and pictured jumping in a taxi afterwards.
Don Giovanni is reasonably priced with pizzas costing between £10.50 and £19.95. The restaurant also offers fresh fish at market price, including lobster. Their most expensive dish is the 'grigliata mista di pesce' - which contains a variety of seafood - priced at £45.
Muri, meanwhile, has more than 34,000 followers on Instagram. The couple share an account for Polo, their adorable French bulldog, which has attracted more than 1,000 followers. Martinez himself has more than 740,000 followers on the social media platform.
United confirmed Martinez's proposed transfer earlier this month. "Manchester United is delighted to announce the club has reached agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Argentine international defender Lisandro Martinez, subject to medical, to player terms being finalised, and to UK visa requirements," read a statement.
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Martinez boasts a fine CV as Ajax's reigning Player of the Year. He joined the Amsterdam club from Argentinian outfit Defensa y Justicia in the summer of 2019 and went on to play 120 games and win four trophies under Ten Hag's leadership.
The defender has won seven caps at international debut and was in Argentina's squad for their Copa America and Finalissima triumphs, both won inside the last 13 months. He is the first member of Ten Hag's Ajax squad to move to United this summer.
It's unclear how Ten Hag will deploy Martinez at United. He is a centre-back by trade, but many fans would like to see him play in front of the defence offer some protection. He will become the smallest centre-back in the Premier League, standing at 5ft 9in.
"I think he’s not the tallest but he is quite good in the air," said Ten Hag. "I feel comfortable with that. Of course, you need the right balance. He has good timing, that’s one of his capabilities. I think the players who are there, we have the perspective immediately to contribute and also Martinez. We bring him in to not strengthen the squad, but the team."
Ten Hag added: "We bring him in to not strengthen the squad, but the team. I think we have good players there but I think also that we need a squad that is also good and deep, but I analysed United last year in the left part of the defence.
"He is left-footed and that is an advantage in possession and defending. And he also brings a South American spirit, I call it an aggressiveness, control, he can bring spirit to the team and in co-operation with the fans. I think it will fit really good to Man Utd and the way we play."
