Transfer News: Manchester United battle Liverpool for Ajax winger Antony
According to Graeme Bailey of 90min (h/t The Express), Manchester United will face off against Liverpool to sign Ajax winger Antony in the summer transfer window. He has been sensational for both club and country recently and could be in line for a big move in the near future.
Chelsea are also keeping tabs on the situation alongside several other unknown clubs from Spain and Italy. Jurgen Klopp’s side has been scouting the Brazilian ever since his time at Sao Paulo- the club he left in the summer of 2020 to join up with the Amsterdam-based side.
However, it is claimed that the Red Devils’ pursuit for Erik ten Hag could lend them an advantage over others in the transfer race. Should they sign him, he would want to bring in the 21-year-old as a reinforcement up front, with Mason Greenwood’s rightful suspension set to ‘intensify’ United’s interest in the Brazilian winger.
Two birds with one stone?
With a potential three-way battle set to take place next summer, we must be ready to prise away the Eredivisie star before others. If hiring Ten Hag gives us a potential advantage in that regard, then it gives us one more reason to hire the talented Eredivisie manager at the end of this term.
Whether that will happen or not remains to be seen in the coming months before the summer transfer window commences. With Greenwood now absent indefinitely and Jadon Sancho’s form not fully convincing fans of his world-class potential, Antony could be a welcome addition down that flank.
The Brazil international’s preference to move to the Premier League is another aspect that bodes well for us. Chelsea and Liverpool, the two other clubs linked with him, arguably have a better sporting project than us right now, and hence, us making the top four this season becomes crucial in that regard.
The Ajax attacker has featured 25 times this season and has scored 11 goals alongside his eight assists across all competitions. An able dribbler on the ball, he is a threat down the flanks and could well be the next big thing if managed and coached properly.
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Jadon Sancho has been moved to the left, whereas Marcus Rashford could be used as a striker as Edinson Cavani is on a contract that expires this summer. Cristiano Ronaldo is 37 himself and cannot keep playing at the top level forever, giving another reason for Rashford to be used down the middle once again.
Anthony Martial’s loan move to Sevilla has naturally raised questions about his long-term future at Old Trafford. That leaves the right-hand side barren, which is where the former Sao Paulo man could come in. Whether we formalize our apparent interest in the 21-year-old sensation remains to be seen, however.
