Man Utd: £68m star must 'put in transfer request' for Old Trafford move

Manchester United target Antony will have to hand in a transfer request in order to lower Ajax’s valuation of the winger, according to journalist Jacque Talbot.

Erik ten Hag has overseen a horrible start to the Premier League season at Old Trafford, falling to defeat against Brighton and Brentford, but he still has time to strengthen ahead of the September 1 deadline.

Fabrizio Romano reported this week that United are planning to approach Ajax again with another offer for the Brazilian.

Earlier in the summer, the Dutch giants reportedly raised their asking price from £68 million to £84 million, effectively ruling United out of a move.

The Athletic have now reported that a bid from United worth around £68 million was rejected on Wednesday, with those in charge at Old Trafford now pessimistic about their chances of completing a deal.

Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo has emerged as a potential target, with The Telegraph reporting that the Red Devils had now turned their attention to the £34 million man.

Talbot understands that if United are to stand a chance of landing Antony this summer, they will need the player himself to hand in a transfer request.

The journalist adds that the 22-year-old is Ten Hag’s number one choice to bolster his frontline ahead of the deadline.

Talbot told GIVEMESPORT: “I’ve heard that he’d have to put in a transfer request, effectively, to get the valuation down from Ajax so that a deal can go through. I think that’s Ten Hag’s number one target in that position.”

If the winger is Ten Hag’s top priority this summer, then United should ensure they do all they can to clinch his signature.

Antony has already scored two goals and provided two assists this season, taking his career tally to 28