Ajax chief gives Manchester United fresh hope in Antony transfer pursuit

Manchester United have been offered fresh hope in their quest to sign Ajax forward Antony this summer.

Antony, 22, was identified as a concrete target for Erik ten Hag after the manager swapped Amsterdam for Old Trafford, and the Dutchman has already managed to do business with his old employers. Ten Hag signed Lisandro Martinez after striking up deals for Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen as part of his rebuild.

Martinez and Eriksen met their United teammates for the first time at Carrington on Tuesday morning and the club still have their sights set on further additions. Frenkie de Jong remains a priority target and Ten Hag wants to bring in another defender and a back-up goalkeeper to offset Dean Henderson leaving on loan.

READ MORE: Barcelona send mixed messages over De Jong

United are still keen on Antony, too, despite concerns the Eredivisie side are reluctant to sell him. As such, that would seemingly ramp up the price during a window in which they have sanctioned moves for Martinez, Ryan Gravenberch, Sebastien Haller and Noussair Mazraoui.

Reports suggest United would have to stump up £67million for the Brazil international, although whether they move for him may depend on what happens with Cristiano Ronaldo — but the door has seemingly been left open by Ajax.

Speaking to Voetbal International, the club's technical manager Gerry Hamstra said: "We want to keep this group together. I assume that no-one leaves this core anymore.

"Of course, you can never say never and I have learned that by now. But we also talk about it with the players and have conversations, also boys who may have a wish to leave. Ajax players are drawn, that is logical."

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