Real Madrid eye possible Man Utd transfer – and Ruben Amorim won’t be happy

Real Madrid are ready to launch a transfer bid for Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez, according to a report.

Los Blancos have been found to be short of numbers in the heart of their defence this season following Nacho Fernandez’s departure in the summer. The veteran has not been replaced numerically in the squad, and with David Alaba out long term and Eder Militao also struck by serious injury, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been seriously depleted in this area.

Real Madrid have built a shortlist of ambitious transfer targets for 2025, including Arsenal’s William Saliba and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero.

Now they have added Martinez to their shortlist, according to TBR Football. Los Blancos are said to have been following the 26-year-old closely.

Man Utd not seeking to sell Lisandro Martinez

Martinez has been one of the few success stories of the Erik ten Hag era at the club, with the wholehearted nature of his defending making him a big favourite with the Old Trafford crowd.

Indeed, it is unlikely that head coach Ruben Amorim will be hurrying the Argentina international out of the exit door.

Instead, the Portuguese is liable to look to move on other central defenders, with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt both apparently less suitable for the style that he will try to implement in the months ahead.

As such, this speculation is unlikely to please Amorim, who already has numerous areas of his squad that he is trying to address.

TBR Football acknowledges: “There are no suggestions that Man United would be looking to part company with the Argentine star.”

Man Utd are in full control of the Martinez situation, meanwhile. His contract only expires in 2027, with the Red Devils also possession a one-year option, which effectively ties the former Ajax player to the team until 2028.