Ajax manager confirms new signing is replacement for Man United-linked Antony

Manchester United have not given up in their pursuit to sign Ajax winger Antony.

The Red Devils, led by former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, have already poached one of the Dutch champion’s most important players. Defender Lisandro Martinez recently joined his old boss at Old Trafford but another player being eyed by the 20-time league winners is winger Antony (TalkSPORT).

Interestingly, although Ajax are believed to value the talented winger at a whopping £69m (De Telegraaf via Express), there appears to be an underlying feeling that United may end up securing the exciting South American.

Read more: Romano explains why Man United turned down chance to sign world-class free agent

Ajax may have the same feeling too.

Antony in action for Ajax.

Set to sign Francisco Conceicao from Porto (Fabrizio Romano), manager Alfred Schreuder is preparing to welcome the Portuguese attacker to Amsterdam, and according to technical manager Gerry Hamstra, the 19-year-old will serve as Antony’s successor.

“On the one hand, you want to have immediately deployable players if you lose Champions League-worthy players,” Hamstra told Het Parool (relayed by MEN).

“But at Ajax we also continue to think about the long term. How fast that happens depends on several factors.

“I can imagine that that goes a little faster with a Portuguese or European than with a boy from South America. So, Conceicao is another example of bringing the successor, in this case Antony, into your selection.

“We now want to keep this group together. I assume that no one leaves this core anymore. Of course, you can never say never, I’ve learned that by now.”

Since joining Ajax from Brazilian side Sao Paulo two years ago, Antony, who has three years left on his deal, has gone on to feature in 78 matches, in all competitions, directly contributing to 42 goals along the way.

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