
Manchester United
Premier League • England
Man Utd news: Antony makes desperate transfer play after Ajax, Chelsea land double Ten Hag blow

Antony is attempting to engineer his way out of Ajax this summer, though a report claims Chelsea may yet scupper a move to Man Utd.
The 22-year-old is one of four Brazilian forwards in high demand this summer. Along with Antony, Raphinha, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus are being tipped for blockbuster moves to the Premier League’s big hitters.
Arsenal have seen a bid rejected for Raphinha. Sky Sports noted Chelsea are also interested in the Leeds ace along with Richarlison – who is on Tottenham’s radar.
Jesus, meanwhile, was being eyed by both Spurs and the Gunners. However, Tottenham have reportedly abandoned their interest in Jesus in order to focus on Raphinha and Richarlison.
But from a Manchester United perspective, the Brazilian that has caught their eye is Antony.
New boss Erik ten Hag knows the winger well through their time together in Amsterdam. Goal recently claimed Antony is dead set on reuniting with his former boss at Old Trafford.
However, Ajax are in a strong bargaining position following two high profile sales. Sebastian Haller is on the cusp of joining Borussia Dortmund, while Ryan Gravenberch has wrapped up a move to Bayern Munich.
Along with the free agent exit of key full-back Noussair Mazraoui, the Dutch side are determined to limit further sales and any exits that do occur will be on very favourable terms.
Indeed, The Times now report Ajax have slapped a whopping £69m price tag on Antony. That is almost £30m more than the £40m ESPN claimed Man Utd thought a deal would cost just a few weeks ago.
Chelsea enter the frame
If that Ajax blow isn’t bad enough, 90min also claim Chelsea are now in the mix.
With a Romelu Lukaku loan return to Inter Milan edging closer, the Blues are ready to mobilise in the market.
90min claim Chelsea are among those to have held talks with Antony’s camp during a recent visit to the UK.
Hope for Man Utd could come in the form of Chelsea’s lengthy list of attacking targets. Aside from Antony, they are also keeping track of Raphinha, Richarlison, Raheem Sterling and Ousmane Dembele.
From the player’s end, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted Antony’s camp – presumably at the player’s behest – have asked Ajax to entertain bids for his services this summer.
Clearly, the winger wants out of Amsterdam, but where he’ll end up is yet to be determined.
Antony worth the huge outlay?
The Brazilian bagged 12 goals and 10 assists across all competitions last year and was an integral part of Ten Hag’s Eredivisie-winning side.
His exploits in the Netherlands have seen him become a mainstay in his national side. That’s despite intense competition from the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus.
Ten Hag clearly knows what he’d be getting in Antony. What’s more, the fact he’s played in his system before should ease any transition into the English game.
However, there have been questions asked about the player’s mentality and discipline in the past.
Indeed, two former Dutch internationals took aim at Antony for one particular incident at Ajax last season.