Manchester United are edging closer to signing Antony from Ajax, it has been claimed. The Brazil international is on Erik ten Hag’s radar, regardless of what happens with Cristiano Ronaldo’s future. And though a deal isn’t straightforward, the Red Devils are hoping they can make the 22-year-old their fourth signing of the summer.
Manchester United want to add a new forward to their frontline this summer.
They’ve lost Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood may never play for the club again and Ronaldo still wants out – despite holding face to face talks with Ten Hag at their Carrington training complex on Tuesday.
So far, Ajax have been unwilling to let Antony leave Amsterdam behind.
With eight goals and four assists from 23 Eredivisie matches last term, the Samba star is viewed as an important player – both for now and the future.
And Ajax are also reluctant to lose another key player, having seen the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui all jump ship.
Now, though, Forbes journalist Sam Pilger has claimed United are ‘edging closer’ to signing Antony after Ajax decided to lower their asking price.
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Jadon Sancho has operated there during pre-season and impressed, notching against the likes of Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
But United want options and Antony would give their attack a new dimension, especially given his vast potential.
Liverpool have also been linked with the Ajax winger, too.
Yet a move to Anfield looks unlikely with the Reds spending most of their transfer budget on a deal for Darwin Nunez, who has touched down from Benfica.
If United do sign Antony, he’d become the club’s fourth signing from Ajax over the past decade.
In 2014, the Red Devils raided their Eredivisie counterparts for Daley Blind – who had impressed at the World Cup in Brazil that year.
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Blind proved to be a useful asset, playing a key role as United won the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europa League.
But he was allowed to return to Ajax after three full seasons in England, where he’s since gone on to become a hero.
United then signed Donny van de Beek from the Dutch side in 2020, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ruled the roost.
And they snapped up Martinez from Ajax earlier this summer, with the Argentina international poised to challenge centre-backs Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly for a starting berth.
Speaking earlier in the year, meanwhile, Luke Chadwick called on United to sign Antony.
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“From what I’ve seen of Antony and read about him, he’s an exciting, skilful player who’s done well at Ajax,” Chadwick said.
“It could make sense for Ten Hag to bring in players he knows and trusts, and that could help in terms of making sure the dressing room is behind you, as I’ve mentioned.
“Obviously there are players in that position – Elanga, Rashford, and Sancho, who’s showing better form now and who looks like he has a big long-term future.“But you can never have too many good players, so if Antony does come in I’m sure everyone at the club would be fully behind that.
“That’s how it should be – competition for places, and whoever’s performing well in training gets to pull on the shirt and play at the weekend.
“Hopefully that will raise standards, as is needed if the club wants to be back to where it wants to be nearer the top of the table, rather than 5th, 6th or 7th position.”
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