Chelsea advance Ziyech to Ajax with crucial next step, as Man Utd sense Antony resolution drawing near

Chelsea have planned fresh talks to send Hakim Ziyech back to Ajax, which could have a key effect on a Manchester United deal for Antony, a report claims.

Both players’ futures are intertwined this summer as the Premier League duo look to conduct separate business. United have targeted a deal for Antony for most of the summer, but their best bid of £67.6million faced rejection.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils are supposedly planning a fresh offer, with Ajax demanding closer to £85million.

And the Eredivisie giants are therefore ramping up their efforts to bring Ziyech back to Amsterdam as his replacement.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have scheduled further talks with Ajax over a deal for Ziyech.

The discussions will be the third in quick succession about the transfer. The first two meetings were with Ziyech himself, who could well leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Romano reiterates that Ziyech is Ajax’s ‘priority’ target amid the uncertainty over Antony.

The Amsterdam giants and Chelsea hope the fresh talks will spring a breakthrough over Ziyech following his talks with the club.

However, the Antony deal relies on a new bid from Man Utd. Reports on Tuesday claimed that the Old Trafford side have assured Ajax they will get a new offer.

Chelsea have already added to their attack with Raheem Sterling from Manchester City. They also want Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona.

Those two arrivals will pave the way for Ziyech’s departure. Intriguingly, Ziyech could follow Timo Werner’s suit in returning to his own club, with Werner re-signing for RB Leipzig.

United, meanwhile, have yet to bolster their front line and manager Erik ten Hag believes Antony is the right reinforcement.

Antony, Ziyech deals key for Man Utd, Chelsea

Both Premier League clubs clearly want these two deals done to reshape their squad further in their manager’s style.

Antony, who rose to prominence at Ajax under Ten Hag, could rekindle that bond at Man Utd. And while he is proving an expensive acquisition, fans will hope the pair’s connection can bring about the player’s best form.

Chelsea, meanwhile, still want to bolster up front but boss Thomas Tuchel knows he needs to shift players first.

Werner has already gone and Ziyech’s departure will allow the Aubameyang pursuit to step up.

With both Chelsea and United chasing a top-four Premier League finish, both deals could be crucial with just over a week left in the summer transfer window.