Manchester United are in talks with Ajax over winger Antony and are also considering a move for Lisandro Martínez, according to reports
Erik ten Hag wants to bolster his United squad ahead of his first season in charge at the Theatre of Dreams. These two players could be options to improve needed positions in the camp.
Antony
Ajax's Brazilian winger Antony has been mentioned as a potential United target for some time. It emerged a while ago that he was among the names on United's list of potential attacking reinforcements for the window.
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One report stated that Antony would be among the definite arrivals at United this summer, while another one mentioned Erik ten Hag's interest in the player, adding that Ajax were targeting Steven Bergwijn as a potential replacement for him.
There's been significant movement in news around the player since. Rob Dawson of ESPN reported on Tuesday 21 June that Antony was among United's key targets and there was hope at the club that a £40 million fee could be agreed for him.
James Ducker of Telegraph Sport elaborated on the matter, stating that United have held talks over a move for the winger, but were waiting for a breakthrough in negotiations over Frenkie de Jong before advancing with other deals.
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That would be in line with previous reports on the matter of United's priorities in the market this summer.
Paul Hirst of Times Sport added onto the above stated facts by mentioning that while talks were underway between Ajax and United over Antony, the former would resist accepting United's opening bid for the player - set to be around the £40m mark.
Jorge C. Picón of Goal Espana further mentioned that the player would welcome a move to United. He also stated that United would be willing to pay a fee around the £51m mark for Antony.
Lisandro Martínez
Martínez is another Ajax player whose links with United have definitive ground, as mentioned by a number of sources.
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Dutch outlet AD reported that the player was high on Erik ten Hag's list at United, and was preferred to Pau Torres of Villarreal, who's been stated previously as another potential centre-back target for United.
They also state that Ajax would ideally like to keep Martínez, unless they received an offer which could not be refused at all.
Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports also added onto the reports, mentioning that United had initiated initial talks for the player.
In the aforementioned report by Paul Hirst, he also mentioned that United were considering Lisandro Martínez among several options in terms of signing a central defender.
Providing further context, he added that while Harry Maguire, Raphaël Varane and Victor Lindelöf were expected to stay at United, the club would listen to offers for Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones this summer - justifying the need for an addition in that department.
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Hirst also mentions that United have turned their attention to Martinez after failing to sign Jurrien Timber over the player being worried about regular game time to command a place in the Netherlands World Cup squad.
It is also stated that Ajax are in a sound financial position and do not need to sell a player - they would do so only if they receive a big enough offer.
A decision to be made
While it makes sense for United to target the aforementioned players given other pieces fall into place and allow them to do the same, there's a catch.
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It was reported by Simon Mullock of Mirror Sport that Erik ten Hag may have to choose between one of Antony or Lisandro Martínez to sign from his former club, unless and until United end up making offers to Ajax which would be too good for them to turn down.
As it seems, the club do have a roadmap of how they'd like the window to play out - now it's time for the pieces to start falling into place.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Ajax, Antony, Premier League, Football