Manchester United are readying a “massive offer” for Ajax forward Antony this week as they seek to add another forward to their ranks before the transfer deadline in a fortnight, according to Sky Sports.
The Red Devils made it clear that the Brazilian was their no.1 target this summer, with Erik ten Hag keen to bring half of his Ajax squad to Old Trafford, but they were put off by the high price-tag.
Having already sold Sebastien Haller, Lisandro Martinez (to Manchester United) and Ryan Gravenberch this summer, the Dutch side warned that it would take a sum of 80m to prise him out of Amsterdam.
That led to the Manchester side looking elsewhere, but moves for the likes of Marko Arnautovic, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko have all fallen through, leaving the club with just Anthony Martial and a wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo as options to lead the attacking line.
And, currently rock-bottom of the Premier League and having had none of their own players on the scoresheet yet this season (their only goal currently an own-goal from Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister), it seems like the club have finally given in.
“Massive offer” incoming
Now, it appears that the club have circled back to their first choice option, with Sky Sports reporting that a massive offer is forthcoming.
Given that Ajax were firm on their valuation and are under no pressure to sell, it is likely that any bid would have to be close to or at the 80m mark.
Elsewhere, the club are looking to make as many as five signings between now and the deadline, with a right-back, goalkeeper, central midfielder and another forward all on the wishlist.
Having wasted much of the summer chasing pipe dreams, the club could now be left scrambling and be forced to pay well over the odds.
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