Man Utd have a new plan they hope will help them forge an Antony breakthrough, and Ajax have been informed of what it entails, per a report.
The Red Devils have chased the Brazilian winger throughout much of the summer. The 22-year-old has been identified as a versatile wide forward who is capable of making an instant impact at Old Trafford.
Aiding his cause if he does sign will be the fact he knows the system Erik ten Hag deploys well.
The Manchester United boss is determined to be reunited with Antony. Indeed, Sky Sports term Antony Ten Hag’s ‘number one target’ now that Casemiro has been signed.
United have already seen a hefty bid worth £67.6m rejected. Ajax are extremely reluctant to lose another of their finest assets after already seeing several key players poached this summer.
However, the cracks in their defence have begun to show.
Reports from the Dutch press claimed they’ve begun to size up potential replacements. Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech is atop their wishlist.
Furthermore, Antony trained alone on Friday and Saturday and was left out of their 1-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.
Antony is desperate to join Man Utd, though Ajax won’t make it easy.
Improved Antony bid in two aspects coming
They’re understood to value Antony around the €100m (approx. £85m) mark. That figure is far higher than those quoted earlier in the window, and is perhaps is a result of having already lost so many influential stars.
Regardless, Sky Sports report Man Utd have let Ajax know an improved bid is coming.
But rather than just raise the final number involved, United have an additional plan. They’ll reportedly also up the initial payment Ajax will receive in the potential deal.
Adding his take to the story, Fabrizio Romano confirmed personal terms between United and Antony are already in place.
He echoed Sky’s reporting when tweeting ‘all parties’ expect an improved United bid to be tabled very shortly.
Could Man Utd sign Cody Gakpo too?
Another forward on United’s radar is PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo.
The 23-year-old is reportedly available for a far more modest £35m. According to CaughtOffside, United have forged an agreement over personal terms with the Dutchman.
Whether United intend to sign Gakpo as well as Antony isn’t clear. Pursuing deals on two fronts could be a case of United playing it safe to ensure they’re not left empty-handed if No 1 target Antony doesn’t join.
However, if CaughtOffside’s reporting is accurate, and they’re citing Dutch sources, then a Gakpo move now seems there for the making.
