New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag's hopes of signing Ajax forward Antony this summer have taken a hit due to a proposed swap deal in the Premier League.
Antony is said to be among the leading transfer targets for Ten Hag who is keen to reunite with the 22-year-old - Ajax's star player last season. United are said to be in pole position to land the Brazilian given his strong relationship with the Red Devils boss at the Amsterdam Arena while the player's representatives recently travelled to Europe in order to discuss a possible transfer this summer.
Antony played 33 games last season for the Dutch giants, where he scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists before missing the final segment of the campaign through injury. He also played nine games in the South American Qualifiers for the World Cup for the Brazilian national team and scored two goals.
However, United's hopes of a deal for the Brazilian forward have been dealt a blow with Tottenham's plans to raid Everton for their forward Richarlison. As reported on Tuesday in the Telegraph, Spurs have included their forward Steven Bergwijn as part of their offer to the Merseyside club in order to prompt a deal.
That represents a setback for United as Bergwijn has been a key attacking target of Ajax this summer, having previously starred at PSV Eindhoven prior to his switch to the Premier League in 2020. The 24-year-old has also impressed for the Dutch national team – he has found the net four times in six caps this year and looks set to play a big role for Louis van Gaal's side at the upcoming World Cup.
The player is prioritising regular first-team football for the upcoming campaign to increase his chances of starring for the Netherlands, but this is unlikely to come in North London – where he made a meagre four starts in the Premier League last campaign and just once since August. A report in De Telegraaf outlines that Everton's personal terms offered to the player are superior to that of Ajax, but the player would rather play in the Champions League.
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Ajax were set to be a prime destination for the forward, with the Amsterdam club keen to replenish their ranks this summer following a series of star departures. Bergwijn is a versatile forward who can play across the front line but is strongest on the right side of attack – which is the same position occupied by Antony.
United are closing in on a deal to sign midfielder Frenkie de Jong with an initial transfer fee agreed with Barcelona and they are one of two clubs who could sign free agent Christian Eriksen, who is now set to choose between Brentford – who offer him and his family the preferred choice of staying in London – and the Red Devils.
Antony is primarily a right-sided player, which would add balance to United's attack with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford primarily deployed on the left. Anthony Elanga also recently claimed that he preferred to play on the left rather than on the right, where he had been utilised by former United interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
United are yet to make any signings to their first-team squad this summer despite Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Lee Grant and Nemanja Matic all leaving the club at the end of their respective contracts.
