Antony transfer latest: Five-year Man Utd deal agreed as player begins house-hunting and final fee emerges for blockbuster move

Manchester United are reportedly growing increasingly hopeful they can secure the signing of Antony before the transfer window closes, with the player already house-hunting in the Greater Manchester area.

The Red Devils are looking to secure a second signing of the summer on Ajax, with a deal for the Brazilian now United’s No 1 priority. Boss Erik ten Hag is desperate to add more goals to his attack, and moreso given ongoing uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo. The veteran Portuguese star netted 24 times last season and losing his source of goals will represent a real problem.

To that end, Ten Hag has been exploring one of two potential recruits. The first of those, Cody Gakpo, was one player Ten Hag was strongly considering. His impressive form for PSV last season earmarked him as a target, with Ten Hag well aware of what he can do.

However, Gakpo was only ever an option if a deal for Antony could not be arranged. However, United have now reportedly shelved their interest in the PSV man and are putting all their eggs into the Antony basket instead.

And it seems they have been two reasons to believe a deal can finally go through.

To that end, The Athletic reports that United are increasingly confident that a deal for Antony can go through.

And while they have already seen two offers rejected for the Brazilian, a third offer looks set to do the trick.

To that end, Ajax are seemingly willing to relent on his sale should their £79.6m asking price be met.

That is a price within United’s reach, despite the widespread feeling they would be paying over the odds for the 22-year-old.

Star submits transfer request to force through Manchester United move

Indeed, Ten Hag has already raided his former side with Lisandro Martinez impressing during Monday’s win over Liverpool.

As such, the deal for Antony is likely to set United back an eye-watering fee.

Furthermore, United’s hope have further been boosted amid claims Antony has made clear to Ajax that he wants to leave. De Telegraaf reports that Antony has told Ajax of his intentions to leave by submitting an official request to leave.

And so confident are Antony’s representatives of sealing the move, that their reporter, Mike Vermijl, claims Antony’s agents have set themselves up in London near United’s offices for the next week to help grease the wheels over a potential deal.

The nine-times capped Brazil attacker is also already looking for properties around the Cheshire area ahead of the move. That is seen as the biggest indicator yet that a move to Old Trafford looks to be on the cards.

While that may seem a tad presumptuous from the player, it seems it is with good reason. That’s after trusted transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims Antony has already agreed personal terms with United over a five-year deal to 2027. He claims that arrangement was struck 10 days ago, leaving the clubs simply to agree on a fee.

Antony transfer among Man Utd’s most costly

Romano now states United are preparing their final approach for the player.

United have communicated to Antony their willingness to get the deal over the line. To that end, there’s a growing belief that a deal will be finalised well before the window closes.

With Ajax naming their price, United now know what they need to do. To that end, they will not accept a compromise on the fee. However, talks between the clubs will soon likely step up as they discuss the breakdown over that arrangement.

Any deal for the player will likely come second on United’s most expensive transfers of all time. That record is currently held by Paul Pogba, whom they paid £89.3m for back in 2016.

And the fee for Antony is likely to become their second most costly fee of all time. Currently, that is held by Harry Maguire, whom Transfermarkt say cost a final fee of £78.3m.

And with Ajax holding out for their £79.6m price, he will become United’s second-most costly signing of all time.

That seems very expensive for a player who scored just eight goals and added four assists in last year’s Eredivisie.

However, he is a player who flourishes under Ten Hag ‘s leadership. And the United boss seemingly sees the Brazilian as the missing ingredient in his attack.

United will hope to get the deal over the line in what would be their fifth summer signing. Bizarrely, the man they have chased for much of the summer, Frenkie de Jong, is now being strongly linked with a move to Liverpool.