Antony compromise 'being discussed' as Ajax 'axe' Man Utd target after second no-show

MANCHESTER UNITED have reignited their interest in Antony after several weeks of inactivity.

Posted Sunday, August 21, 2022 by Express.co.uk

Ajax board members are reportedly discussing potential fees they may accept for Manchester United target Antony as they brace for another bid from Old Trafford. The Dutch outfit have so far stood firm on their mammoth valuation of the winger, but could be about to alter their stance amid claims that he has been axed from their upcoming fixture with Sparta Rotterdam.

Antony is believed to be keen on a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Man Utd. The pair worked together in Amsterdam last season and the Brazilian played a crucial part in yet another Eredivisie title win.

Ajax supposedly turned their noses up at United's latest £67.6million approach as it fell short of their firm £84m price tag. Antony responded by voluntarily training alone on Friday and doing so again on Saturday, which has seemingly angered his bosses.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the 22-year-old won't travel with his team-mates for the clash with Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday afternoon. His absence will be harshly felt having racked up three goal contributions in his first two matches this term.

Antony is seemingly attempting to force through a reunion with Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag

The Athletic claim that the Ajax board are already 'discussing potential fees' for Antony after rejecting United's latest approach. That suggests that a compromise could be in the works with the Red Devils not keen to go much higher than their latest package but rumoured to be eyeing up one final crack.

Ten Hag's hunt for a new attacker has failed to bear fruit so far this summer but United appear to have honed in on Antony and fellow Eredivisie star Cody Gakpo. PSV have reportedly placed a £35m price tag on the Dutchman and manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is still a hero at Old Trafford, may be pressured to let him go.

United may have a better chance of making progress on a deal for Gakpo after PSV's crucial Champions League qualifier against Rangers on Wednesday. The first leg finished 2-2 and with the tie so finely balanced and the stakes so high, the Dutch outfit are understandably keen to keep hold of their star attacker until their fate is decided.

Antony scored eight and assisted four in the league last term and he has already notched nine senior caps for Brazil. Gakpo, meanwhile, racked up an impressive 25 goal contributions in 27 Eredivisie games in 2021/22 and has the versatility to feature across the frontline.

Ten Hag could be desperate for a reliable goalscorer if Cristiano Ronaldo ends up leaving Old Trafford, having asked to do so last month.

"[Ronaldo] wants Champions League football, but not any old Champions League football," former Premier League striker Alan Smith told Express Sport. "I’m sure he wants a team that’s going to get out of the group and have a tilt at it.

"It’s the worst possible start for Ten Hag, to have a player like that. If a player wants away, not just a player but Ronaldo, I don’t know why you wouldn’t do your very best to help him out of the door. We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, but it just creates uncertainty within the dressing room."