Manchester United have yet to make a signing this summer, but they now have a solid valuation of one of their targets.
In a report by Simon Mullock of The Mirror, it has been stated that Amsterdam based club Ajax value their Brazilian winger Antony, closely linked to Manchester United, at greater than £50 million.
This valuation comes at no great surprise, aged just 22 Antony is one of Ajax’s standout players.
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His current contract runs until 2025 so there is no urgent need for the club to sell.
Should they sell him, though, they will owe a couple of his ex-clubs a cut of the fee they receive for him, so they will want to maximise their own profit for him.
New United boss Erik ten Hag, coming from Ajax, is particularly keen to get the forward on board as he looks to rebuild Manchester United.
The Reds have been in talks with the Dutch club over the availability of the player, and Ajax are maintaining a strong stance with regards to the deal.
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They are unwilling to let up on their current valuation of the player.
Antony would be the first natural right winger Old Trafford has seen in a while and his expressive game would give shades of another winger to don United red, the beloved Luis Nani.
United are in desperate need of a right winger to balance the team out in possession, as their possession is very biased towards their left flank, and Antony is used to holding width on the wide right for Ajax.
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The right back he is paired with will be crucial, with Noussair Mazraoui’s constant over and underlapping of Antony when the ball is at his feet being crucial to creating space for the Brazilian to do his damage.
Antony is at his most dangerous when cutting inside on his left foot and whipping in a deadly cross - something that could allow him to develop a good on-pitch relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo - or taking on a shot.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has reportedly expressed willingness to fight for his place at United.
Antony's profile would certainly be a welcome addition at Old Trafford, and his aforementioned stylish game coupled with his intense work rate when his team does not have the ball would immediately endear him to his new fanbase.
Should United be able to convince Ajax - a club they historically have a very strong relationship with - to lower their valuation of the player, or see the expenditure as a reasonable one in what is a problem position, Antony would likely fit in very well at Old Trafford.
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Whether or not this deal goes through, it is certainly one to keep an eye on over the next week or so as people try to gauge what United’s plan is for next season, where they will play in the Europa League, based on their movements throughout this transfer window.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League, Ajax, Antony, Football
