Manchester United have revised a bid for Ajax’s number 11 Antony. Bart Sanders and Sky Sports have reported that United are expected to make a new bid of £67.5 million for the player described by one fan as “world class”, with Erik ten Hag rating him very highly.
Manchester United Expected to Make £67.5 Million Bid for Antony
Manchester United plan to approach Ajax again for Antony before the end of the window. Deal considered more than difficult, as Ajax want to keep him – but Man Utd will try again. 🚨🇧🇷 #MUFC
Cody Gakpo remains easier option in the list – as Pulisic loan depends on Todd Boehly. pic.twitter.com/w4vT3kYv5j
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2022
United Increase the Offer
Manchester United have been interested in the Ajax winger right from the start of this transfer window but as reported by Sky Sports there was a big gap between the first bid submitted and Ajax’s valuation of the player. As reported by The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell in July, United were priced out of a move for Antony as the club were asking for just shy of £85 million. In response, United appeared to turn their attention away from Antony and to players like PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo.
With recent form and reports of squad unrest, United have gone back to the player they were targeting from the start and are preparing a bid of £67.5 million for him. Antony being a player Ten Hag knows from his time at Ajax can only prove to be a good thing for the club at this time.
What Would He Bring
A quick and tricky wide player, Antony offers everything a team would want from a modern winger. Starting usually off the right for Ajax, he is extremely direct cutting in and taking on his fullbacks as evidenced by his performance last weekend.
Antony’s recent display also showed that his form from last season where he scored 12 and assisted 10 in all competitions was no fluke. Other than his physical attributes what he also brings is familiarity and a relationship with the manager, something that Ten Hag may find extremely helpful during this difficult start for United. Ant0ny is also a player in a priority position for united who are in need of attackers with Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford’s futures unclear.
Is the New Bid Enough?
United turned away from Antony earlier in the window because they believed Ajax were asking too much for the winger but it looks as if with everything going wrong for United both on the field and in the transfer market so far they are going to place everything on a player the manager knows well. Whether £67.5 million will be enough only time will tell, but Manchester United have certainly gotten the ball rolling on a potential transfer.
