Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd transfer news: Ajax boss breaks silence on double Jurrien Timber, Antony swoop

ntony of Ajax celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with Jurrien Timber of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between FC Utrecht and AFC Ajax at Stadion Galgenwaard

Ajax manager, Alfred Schreuder, has addressed the efforts of Man Utd to sign both Jurrien Timber and Antony, and it makes for grim reading for Red Devils fans.

Manchester United are yet to make their first addition of the summer window. A whole host of established stars have seen their free agent exits confirmed. But as yet, suitable replacements have not been landed.

Christian Eriksen has reportedly received a contract offer from both Man Utd and Brentford. The fact he is not automatically choosing the Red Devils sparked a feisty response from Gary Neville.

Elsewhere, new manager Erik ten Hag is looking to former club Ajax for salvation. Winger Antony and centre-half Jurrien Timber are both known to be targets.

The latest on Antony suggested Ajax have hiked up Antony’s price to a whopping £69m. That stems from the fact the Dutch outfit have already sold Ryan Gravenberch to Bayern Munich and are poised to sell Sebastien Haller to Dortmund.

Ajax are now in a strong bargaining position and won’t sell additional stars on the cheap. What’s more, Chelsea have now entered the frame for the Brazilian.

Regarding Timber, the prospects of losing his place in the Netherlands national side reportedly saw his chances of moving to Old Trafford tumble.

Indeed, former United boss and current Netherlands manager, Louis van Gaal, reportedly dissuased Timber from making the move.

Schreuder on Antony, Timber exits

Yet United’s interest in the Ajax pair remains, and Schreuder has opened up on what the future holds for the duo.

When referencing Van Gaal’s involvement in attempting to keep Timber at Ajax, Schreuder joked to ESPN: “I hope that has been arranged.

“I think this boy is very smart. He knows very well what is good for himself to develop. And I think he is not ready [to leave] Ajax.

“As I spoke to him, he knows very well what he is doing And if you also see him play in the Dutch national team and play at Ajax: that makes you happy.”

Ajax defender Jurrien Timber

When asked whether Timber will still be in Amsterdam next season, Schreuder concluded: “I hope so and I assume that.”

On Antony, the news was no less positive.

“Clearly we want to keep that boy,” continued Schreuder. “I think he has a contract until 2025. I’m not about that.

“I’m about the line-up and I really want to work with him. He knows that and the club knows that too.”

Ajax holding firm on further exits

Aside from Gravenberch and Haller, the Dutch outfit have also lost Noussair Mazraoui to free agency.

As such, they’re unlikely to sanction further exits unless the terms are exceedingly favourable.

Ajax winger Antony pushing for Premier League move

Ajax winger Antony pushing for Premier League move

Antony wants to leave Ajax this summer with a transfer to the Premier League to Chelsea or Manchester United most likely

That hasn’t stopped Antony from attempting to engineer a move away, however. The 22-year-old’s camp have reportedly asked the Ajax board to seriously consider any concrete offers that arrive.

Yet United’s stuttering start to the window may prove costly if Ajax shut up shop completely. That rings especially true given several of their players are firm targets for Ten Hag.