Transfer Gossip: £51m Man Utd deal ramps up as forward talks begin; Chelsea to axe duo before completing Man City raid

Man Utd are edging closer to signing Ajax winger Antony after his camp jetted to Europe for talks, while Chelsea could axe a frontline pair before moving for a Man City ace – both in Friday’s Transfer Gossip.

ANTONY TRANSFER TAKES SHAPE

The camp of Man Utd target Antony are in Europe as they seek to thrash out a £51m move to Manchester United, claims a report.

United are embarking on a new era under former Ajax boss, Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils have already confirmed several high profile departures including the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani.

Defensive and midfield additions have commanded the headlines thus far. Indeed, United’s pursuits for the likes of Frenkie de Jong have drawn the eye.

Yet Ten Hag’s recent trip to Portugal in an attempt to hijack Liverpool’s move for Darwin Nunez shows reinforcements in the final third are also on the agenda.

Another name frequently linked with United is Brazilian winger Antony, and per Goal Brazil, a move is taking shape.

They report the 22-year-old’s staff have arrived in Europe with the stated purpose of their trip to ‘accelerate and perhaps close’ his preferred move to Manchester United.

The outlet predict his future will be determined in ‘the coming days’. An agreement with Ajax is expected to cost around €60m (£51m).

Aiding United’s cause is the obvious Ten Hag factor. The Dutch boss managed Antony at Ajax, while United also reportedly hold a good relationship with Ajax’s board. Former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is Ajax’s current CEO.

Antony bagged 12 goals and 10 assists in Amsterdam last season. However, his overall performances were of such a high standard he became a regular in the Brazil national side.

That is no mean feat given the Selecao can currently call upon the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Martinelli, among others.

TWO OUT, ONE IN AT CHELSEA?

Chelsea are willing to sacrifice a high profile pair as they sense an opportunity to raid Man City for Raheem Sterling, per a report.

The Blues’ frontline could look unrecognisable at the start of the new campaign. Talk of a premature Romelu Lukaku exit is ramping up. The Belgian – signed for £97.5m last summer – could be on his way back to Inter Milan in a loan capacity.

But aside from Lukaku, the Telegraph now report Chelsea ‘will listen to offers’ for Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.

The pair have not flopped entirely since moving to Stamford Bridge. However, it is fair to say the impacts they’ve made haven’t been as great as many expected.

Chelsea are reportedly open to one or both of their exits this summer, and moving them on could tee up a move for Raheem Sterling.

The England ace, 27, has just one year remaining on his current contract at the Etihad.

Sterling has fallen down the pecking order in recent times with Phil Foden the new No 1 on the left wing. Erling Haaland’s arrival will lock down the central role, while Riyad Mahrez remains an elite operator on the right.

As such, the Telegraph state clubs around Europe believe Sterling could be signed this summer and Chelsea are the English clubs displaying the greatest interest thus far.

Despite his contract status, a deal may still cost upwards of £50m. However, Thomas Tuchel is deemed acutely aware he needs to add more firepower to a frontline that fell well short of Liverpool and Man City’s last season.

Other targets include Ousmane Dembele, Christopher Nkunku and Robert Lewandowski. It’s also claimed Gabriel Jesus has been offered to Chelsea.

BIG HITTERS CHASING BRIGHTON TRANSFER

Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham are all sizing up Brighton’s Marc Cucurella, though a deal won’t come cheap, per a report.

The Spanish left-back, 23, enjoyed an outstanding maiden campaign in England last year. Cucurella scooped both the Brighton Player of the Player award along with the Brighton Players’ Player of the Year prize.

But according to Goal, his stay on the couth coast could be a short one.

That’s because Chelsea, Spurs and City are all eyeing a move. Cucurella is capable of operating as a wing-back, something that could appeal to Chelsea and Tottenham specifically.

A high profile move to a Champions League contender could aid his international ambitions ahead of the Qatar World Cup. He made his senior Spain debut in 2021, though only has one cap to his name so far.

Any deal isn’t likely to come cheap, with Goal concluding Brighton will demand around £45m for his signature.