Erik ten Hag has kept a consistent theme throughout this summer’s transfer window and that’s to pursue players he’s familiar with. Thus far, he has signed two former Ajax stars and another Eredivisie ace.
Moves for Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia have been completed whilst the club has announced that a fee has been agreed with Ajax over Lisandro Martinez.
After securing Martinez, it’s now being reported that United are still hoping to sign another Ajax player.
That’s according to talkSPORT, who claim that the Old Trafford club are hoping to sign Brazilian winger Antony, who has been linked with a move to United all summer.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Manchester United are still hoping to sign Ajax winger Antony.
– talkSPORT sources understand
📲 Listen ☞ https://t.co/VJgUHnqdM1 pic.twitter.com/uGbFNk1qBa
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 20, 2022
🔚 “There’d been reports that Utd’s interest in Antony was over.”
🙏 “But Man United are still very much looking to bring him to the PL.”
💶 “A €70m fee has been [reported], I think it’ll be a little less.”
Alex Crook provides more detail on #MUFC’s pursuit of Ajax’s Antony. pic.twitter.com/DHnbB4MR6l
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 20, 2022
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Antony was a mainstay in Ten Hag’s side last season but has had his pre-season disrupted by injuries. He is, however, close to returning for the Amsterdam side.
SN’s verdict…
Antony is a left-footed winger on the right side and throughout his career, Ten Hag has always preferred his wingers to be opposite-footed. As things stand, he does not have a left-footed winger at his disposal at United.
Ajax have already lost a sizeable chunk of their first-team regulars this summer, with Andre Onana, Ryan Gravenberch, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez and Sebastien Haller all departing.
Losing Antony would be a heavy blow and considering how reluctant they were to enter negotiations for Martinez, it’s hard to see United get this one over the line.
Last month, it was reported that Ajax had asked for a fee in excess of £68m for the winger and with a budget already limited by the lack of Champions League revenue, United would find it hard to meet that valuation.
