Man Utd have made a fresh bid for Ajax winger Antony as the club attempt to seal a deal for the Brazilian, according to reports.
The Red Devils were accused at the start of the transfer window of dragging their heels in the market, but they have gradually been making some deals.
Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez have joined so far this summer, while for some time they have had an extensive agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of Frenkie de Jong.
Ronaldo and Barcelona are starting to generate some sympathy for Man Utd
De Jong’s deal has been held up by problems between the player and Barcelona, while there are rumors that he would rather stay at Camp Nou than join Man Utd.
In addition to their disputes in the transfer market, they also have the ongoing problem of Cristiano Ronaldo wanting to leave the club on a free transfer because of his “loyalty to the club”. You’ve been going there for a year, mate.
But Man Utd could be heading in the right direction with another deal in the transfer market with Goal Brasil insisting the Premier League club are looking to “advance negotiations” for Ajax winger Antony.
The Red Devils have “increased the offer” of Antony above the 60 million euros they had already offered but “have not yet reached” the 80 million that Ajax “asked”.
Goal Brasil speculate that Man Utd and Ajax could take “until the final days of the European summer window” to find a deal as Erik ten Hag “insists on his move to Old Trafford”.
Ajax are said to be “playing hardball” in negotiations as they do not need to accept a low offer after raising money from the sales of Lisandro Martinez, Sebastien Haller, Ryan Gravenberch, Nicolas Tagliafico and Dominik Kotarski.
Another potential complication of the deal is that Antony’s former club Sao Paulo is entitled to 20% of his transfer profits.
United’s arch-rivals Liverpool have also been linked with Antony and former Premier League striker Noel Whelan believes the Reds would be “silly” not to try to sign the winger if he is available this summer.
Whelan told Football Insider: “Clubs like Liverpool can’t sit still. They don’t buy players just for the sake of it. Klopp will look for certain players to strengthen his squad even more.
“I don’t think it will block the way for the likes of Carvalho and Elliott. If anything, it puts even more pressure on them to succeed and deliver in a Liverpool shirt.
“You want the best players in the world, and right now Antony is wanted by some of the biggest clubs in Europe. It’s the depth of the squad. If a player like him is available and Liverpool have the funds, it would be silly not to add it.”