Dutch League champions Ajax have reportedly increased their asking price on their winger Antony who’s a top target for Man United this summer.
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has shown interest in bringing his former striker Antony to Old Trafford but his price tag has been an obstacle.
Amid that, the Netherlands side have upped their price from £68m to £84m to underline his importance at the club. With just a month left in the transfer window, Alfred Schreuder’s team wants to make it clear that the 22-year-old is “non-transferable”.
After a difficult season for Manchester United, Ten Hag has already added three players to his team which includes former Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, left-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord, and Christian Eriksen.
However, Erik ten Hag still wants to buy more players from Ajax and Antony is one of them. The winger has scored 23 goals in 79 appearances across all competitions during his two years at the Amsterdam club.
Antony is a more right-footed player and would help to bring the competition needed in Man United’s attack area which has players like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Anthony Martial.
Although Ajax has made it clear that Antony won’t leave them this summer, it had also been reported that his agents are in talks with Manchester United.
Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder said: ‘Internally we have agreed that we want to keep the current squad together. Nobody wants to sell him… Antony is working well. I don’t have the feeling that he’s busy with a transfer.’
Ajax have raised the price tag for Antony from €80M to €100M including bonuses. [@MikeVerweij, @TheEuropeanLad] #mufc
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) July 27, 2022
He also told ESPN that he really wants the winger to stay because they have sold many players already and he assumes that nobody will leave again. According to him, selling another key player this summer will affect them negatively next season. And the recent increase in his price to £84m is to effectively block the move from happening this summer.
Meanwhile, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is still not interested in signing for Man United this summer and would only join Chelsea if his £17m unpaid wage is paid. The Netherlands midfielder has been a top target for Erik ten Hag but the player doesn’t want to play in the UEFA Europa League next season.
Also, Cristiano Ronaldo has met with some Man United executives to discuss his future with the club after he asked to be sold if a good deal arrives. The Portugal star player has been pushing for a move since this summer to avoid playing in the UEFA Europa League with Man United next season. However, he has been rejected by some big clubs like Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain.
