Ajax manager softens stance on Antony sale amid Manchester United interest

Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder has admitted Manchester United target Antony could leave the club this summer.

Erik ten Hag signed Antony while in charge of Ajax and the 52-year-old is keen to bring him to Old Trafford. Ten Hag has signed Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez this summer and all three signings have previous links with the Eredivisie.

United also remain persistent in talks to sign Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, who played under Ten Hag at Ajax. The new Premier League season is under two weeks away and United are yet to strengthen their attacking options in the transfer market.

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Jadon Sancho has played at right-wing for United in pre-season but Ten Hag remains interested in signing Antony this summer. Antony contributed 12 goals and 10 assists in 32 appearances for Ajax last term and he played a key role in the club's title win.

Ajax manager Schreuder was asked last week about the possibility of Antony leaving the club this summer and he shut down the reports. He said: "No, no. We have sold a certain amount of players and I am expecting nobody else to leave. We talk on a daily basis. It would be very bad for us if we would lose another starting player."

However, Schreuder was asked about Antony again on Tuesday night and he left the door open. “We are assuming that we can keep this squad together. But I know, and everyone knows, that in football you never know”.

The summer transfer window for Premier League clubs will close at 23:00 BST on 1 September 2022.

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