With just four days to go until the transfer window closes, Manchester United are edging closer to wrapping up the signing of one of Erik ten Hag's top targets.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United, who registered their second consecutive win with a 1-0 triumph over Southampton on Saturday, are closing in on the signing of Ajax winger Antony. He was left out of the Ajax squad for Sunday's 2-0 win over FC Utrecht and it is understood that the Reds are making progress on a deal to bring him to Old Trafford ahead of Thursday's 11pm deadline.
Ajax, who have already sold Lisandro Martinez to United this summer, rejected the Reds' latest offer for the 22-year-old on Friday, but the Old Trafford outfit are confident of agreeing a package that could near €100million (£84.66m). Getting a deal over the line would signify a huge statement of intent from United, particularly when they had cooled their interest in the winger in recent weeks because of Ajax's hefty demands.
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However, the Brazilian has been a top target for United manager Erik ten Hag all summer, with the Dutchman identifying his former colleague as a primary target to strengthen the Reds' wide options. Ten Hag took him to Ajax from Sao Paulo in 2020 and Antony blossomed under his stewardship.
There is no denying that he has developed at a rapid rate of knots since joining Ajax, so much so that he is now considered as one of the most exciting wingers in world football. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that Ajax, despite United making progress on the deal, are continuing to dig their heels in.
Following the win over Utrecht, Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder, despite appearing to hit out at Antony for wanting to move to Old Trafford, vowed once again that the winger will stay in Amsterdam beyond the upcoming transfer deadline. He said: "I stick to those words. I want to talk about the game, not about Antony. I have said more than enough about this."
With respect to Ajax, they have determinedly tried to keep Antony. They have increased their valuation of him throughout the summer and are determined to retain his services, even though there is a growing confidence that United will get their man.
But the fight that Ajax have put up is unlikely to have surprised Ten Hag, who left the Dutch giants at the end of last season to replace Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford. That is because the Dutchman has previously highlighted just how valuable Antony is to the Eredivisie heavyweights.
"If Antony were to go, it would be a loss for Ajax, because you have no one in the current selection who can take over his position," said Ten Hag, speaking back in May. "He is top class."
Since making that admission more than three months ago, Ajax have bolstered their wide areas during this summer's transfer window with the signing of Steven Bergwijn from Tottenham Hotspur. Bergwijn has flourished in the Eredivisie in the past and has already scored five goals in five appearances this season in all competitions.
Though Bergwijn is a major threat, he is more accustomed to playing on the left flank as opposed to the right, highlighting why Ajax are so reluctant to let Antony join United. Ten Hag knows the way Ajax operate inside out, meaning their commitment to try and keep Antony is unlikely to have surprised him.
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