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Manchester United 'to wait until last moment to make Antony bid'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 15 August 2022

Man United 'to wait until last moment to make Antony bid'

Manchester United will reignite their interest in Ajax attacker Antony in the 'final stretch' of the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Manchester United are reportedly preparing to reignite their interest in Ajax attacker Antony in the 'final stretch' of the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old scored 12 goals and registered 10 assists in 33 appearances in all competitions for Ajax during the 2021-22 campaign, with the Brazil international starring under now Man United boss Erik ten Hag.

The 20-time English champions have been linked with the forward throughout the summer, but it is believed that Ajax are refusing to budge on their €80m (£66.9m) valuation, which has seen a potential move stall.

Antony addressed his future on Sunday evening after contributing a goal and an assist in Ajax's 6-1 victory over Groningen in the Eredivisie and refused to rule out a switch to Man United.

"No idea (if Ten Hag will call him over a move)... he has to discuss this with my agents, I am focused on here. What will come will come, we will see. At the moment I feel good here," Antony told NOS.

Ajax attacker Antony in action in April 2021 © Reuters

"Like I said, I feel good here. I love this country. I give everything for this club, every minute, every second. And when I don't play I like to enjoy the beach and city. I am loving this city and this club."

According to Goal, Man United will wait until the latter stages of the transfer window to make another bid for Antony, as they believe that Ajax could be forced into a sale.

The report claims that Ten Hag has directly asked the Red Devils board to secure a deal for the South American before the end of the transfer window.

Antony has provided one goal and two assists in two league appearances for Ajax at the start of the new campaign, and the Dutch champions remain determined to keep hold of him this summer.

Last month, Ajax sporting director Gerry Hamstra insisted that the attacker would not be allowed to leave the Dutch champions before the end of the window.

Ajax attacker Antony pictured in September 2021 © Reuters

"I know some of our players are still targeted and they are trying to pull them away," he told reporters. "But we are keeping the squad we have left. Nobody is going anywhere now. We have made it clear to the players, we have had big talks with the players who have a strong desire to leave the club at this moment.

"Let us make this clear, we did not even want to lose [Lisandro] Martinez, but the figures for the transfer fee were going to such heights that anyone in football knows how it works then.

"We had to let him go. But we still have massive ambitions at Ajax. We play in the Champions League and we can't afford to let go of six key players."

Antony, who has another three years left to run on his current deal, has represented his Dutch side on 82 occasions since arriving from Sao Paulo in July 2020, contributing 24 goals and 22 assists in the process.

A senior group of Man United players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire, are believed to have made it clear to the club's board that more new signings must arrive before the end of the transfer window.