Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Antony declaration hands Man Utd big transfer lift and puts second Arsenal deal under threat

Ajax winger Antony lifting the Eredivisie trophy

Antony is determined to make a move to Man Utd a reality this summer, and his exit would likely mean an alternative Arsenal transfer fails to materialise, per reports.

The Brazilian winger has emerged as a primary candidate to bolster Manchester United’s forward ranks this summer. Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata have all had their free agent exits confirmed by the club. Cavani is reportedly eyeing up a move to Madrid to link up with a former Red Devils hitman.

At 22, Antony would represent a signing for both the present and future. The left-footer operates primarily on the right wing, though can also be deployed on the left.

The presence of a sell-on clause inserted by Antony’s former club Sao Paulo is ensuring Ajax won’t sell on the cheap. ESPN recently claimed United hoped £40m would do the trick, though that no longer appears the case.

Regardless, the connection through new United boss Erik ten Hag gives Man Utd hope. What’s more, according to Goal, the player himself is seemingly dead set on making a move happen.

Goal state the winger is ‘determined’ to reunite with Ten Hag in Manchester. It’s claimed he’s ‘made it clear’ swapping Ajax for United is the natural next step.

Regarding what progress United are making in negotiations, the report stated only informal discussions have been held at present. An official bid has reportedly not yet been lodged.

But with the player hell bent on moving to Manchester United, there is a hope an agreement can soon be forged. If that situation unfolds, it could spell bad news for Arsenal.

Antony to be Ajax’s last exit?

The Mirror noted Ajax are determined to retain one of Antony and Lisandro Martinez. Centre-back Martinez is another to be linked with United, though has more recently emerged on Arsenal’s radar.

Ajax have already lost key cogs Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui this summer, both to Bayern Munich.

As such, they are determined to stop the bleeding after just one more exit and if Antony gets his wish by joining United, Martinez won’t be moving to Arsenal.

Man Utd window finally igniting

While those around them have already completed blockbuster deals, United remain without a single new addition as yet.

However, today’s Euro Paper Talk indicated a deal for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong is now all but wrapped up.

With that marquee signing seemingly on the way, attention will quickly turn to addressing other departments of the squad.

Antony’s deal will come into focus, as well as revamping Ten Hag’s defence.

If Ajax stick to their word and only sell one more player, an Antony deal would make moves for centre-back pair Jurrien Timber and Martinez unworkable.

That’s where Villarreal’s Pau Torres could come in, with the Spaniard valued around the £50m mark. United fans will be hopeful a De Jong breakthrough can be the beginning of a big summer at Old Trafford.