Ajax's star man Antony is determined to reunite with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United even though his club are trying to price him out of a move, according to reports.
The 22-year-old winger is desperate for an Old Trafford move to follow the manager that gave him his break in the Eredivisie, as per Paul Hirst of The Times.
Ten Hag signed the Brazilian from São Paulo FC in 2020 and developed him into a dangerous right-sided wingman who was a standout for the Dutch champions last season.
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Antony scored 12 goals and assisted 10 in only 32 appearances throughout the campaign.
This included two goals and four assists in the Champions League before Ajax's exit to Benfica in the knock-out rounds.
However, even though the players preference is a United move, it won't be that simple of a move due to other factors.
Ajax have already raised funds through sales, after Ryan Gravenberch left the club for £20 million to Bayern Munich.
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Sebastian Haller is also close to a Borussia Dortmund move which will see the Dutch side earn £31m through the transfer.
This means that Ajax are able to hold out for a higher sum for their talented winger, the aforementioned article from Hirst says that the £69m is what the club are indicating that they will sell for.
A far cry from the £40m that United were initially hopeful of securing the wide man with.
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This does, however, add up with reports which suggested that Ajax will not allow Ten Hag to strip the team that he originally made in this transfer window.
Despite the Dutch champions being in a position of power, with Antony still having three years left on his current contract, he is still hopeful of a move to the Theatre of Dreams this summer.
After two seasons in the Eredivisie, Antony feels ready for the step up to the Premier League and is interested in working with his former manager again.
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United are also interested in signing one of Ajax's defensive players, with the style that Ten Hag plays involving comfort in playing from the back, something that currently lacks at United.
The clear targets were Lisandro Martinez and Jurrien Timber.
However, the Reds have been told that they would cost £51.5m each by Ajax, leaving a decision to be made if United can afford the funds.
Previous reports have suggested that United are willing to sell up to five of their current defensive options, and will look at additions in this area once money, and squad space, has been generated through sales.
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Martinez is said to be the more realistic target of the two defenders, this is following advice from Louis van Gaal that has distanced Timber from an Old Trafford move.
The Dutch coach suggested that a United transfer could be detrimental to his World Cup hopes this winter.
Martinez can also play at the base of the midfield, which is a very attractive proposition for United supporters who have been starved of a player in that position for some time now.
Topics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Antony, Ajax, Premier League, Eredivisie, Football
Cain Smith