Manchester United will allegedly prioritize signing Antony this month, but have created a three-man shortlist in case the deal falls through. Erik ten Hag is expected to sign the Ajax winger, 22, from Sao Paulo in the summer of 2020. Antony has now scored 18 goals and supplied Fourteen assists in 57 Eredivisie matches, earning two titles.
Manchester United Prepares A Three-Man Shortlist
Brazil’s national team member has submitted a transfer request to Ajax, who last week turned down a £72.3 million offer, indicating that he wants to join United. The Dutch champions are reportedly open to proposals up to €100 million (£84 million), which would represent a hefty investment for the Red Devils.
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It is very likely that United won’t be able to pay Ajax’s estimated amount for Antony and will search elsewhere. According to ESPN, if the Antony deal does not go through, they will increase their interest in Cody Gakpo, Christian Pulisic, and Marcus Thuram.
Gakpo, 23, had a standout season in 2021–2022, scoring 21 goals in all competitions while playing for Dutch team PSV Eindhoven. A seven-cap member of the Netherlands’ national team, he has already scored twice in the Eredivisie this year.
Thuram, 25, is a player for Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany and has four senior France caps. He only managed 3 goals in 23 games last season due to injuries, but he has demonstrated his talent in the past by scoring 14 goals in 2019–20.
Despite being a part of Chelsea’s first squad since the summer of 2019, Pulisic, 23, has failed to have a significant influence at Stamford Bridge. Since leaving Borussia Dortmund, the 25-goal USA international has experienced form and fitness issues.
Following the sales of several first-team stars this summer, Ajax is reluctant to let Antony go. In recent weeks, big-money transfers out of Amsterdam were accomplished by Ryan Gravenberch, Sebastien Haller, Nicolas Tagliafico, Perr Schuurs, and Lisandro Martinez.
Both of these players have joined Ten Hag at Old Trafford, and this season, the latter has started all 3 of United’s Premier League games. It’s doubtful whether Ajax can afford to lose Antony as well. Martinez’s loss was a blow to the team after he was named Player of the Season.
“There’s absolutely nothing I can do to stop what he [Antony] wants” Ajax manager, Alfred Schreuder stated. “He has a contract to be an Ajax player. Our players are ambitious, and we’ve already sold a lot of them. He’ll undoubtedly play for Ajax on the field in a week.”
Marco Asensio is a further possible target for United. The Real Madrid winger, 26, would cost them €30 million (£25.3 million), according to The Telegraph. Ten Hag recently added Casemiro, a former Real teammate, to his midfield.
Asensio, whose contract is about to expire, is not thought to be a player United are seriously contemplating signing. The three-time champion of the Champions League led Real Madrid in scoring last season with 12 goals, and he has 28 senior caps for Spain and one goal in three appearances at the highest level.
With just three goals from their first three Premier League games, United has struggled with creativity this season. Last season, the Red Devils struggled mightily in the goal department, scoring just 57 goals in the Premier League, enough for the eighth-best record.
Amad Diallo, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga, Shola Shoretire, Tahith Chong, Alejandro Garnacho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rahsford, Amad Diallo, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga, Shola Shoretire, Alejandro Garnacho, and Cristiano Ronaldo are among Ten Hag’s current attacking options. Ronaldo, who wants to leave Old Trafford this month, is also an option.
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