Manchester United can't repeat Frenkie de Jong transfer approach with Antony

The transfer window has now been open for 17 days and Manchester United's focus has barely drifted from Frenkie de Jong, the midfielder who is seen as the talisman for Erik ten Hag's Old Trafford rebuild. The new manager wants to be reunited with the 25-year-old and sees him as integral to implementing his philosophy on a squad that has badly needed one for the last couple of seasons.

But negotiations over De Jong have been crawling along. Barcelona know how much United want him, but United know how badly Barcelona need the cash. So far, neither party has blinked, but perhaps this week could see a turning point. Barcelona's accounting period with La Liga ends on Thursday and a sale before then will be beneficial.

It would still be a surprise, not to mention a disaster, if United don't sign De Jong, but this transfer saga has gone on for so long that while supporters will be delighted to see the Dutch midfielder arrive, it's going to be accompanied by relief as much as excitement.

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The anticipation amongst supporters now is for what comes next. United have held talks over a free transfer for Christian Eriksen but working with a budget that is sizeable, though not unlimited this summer, they have prioritised a deal for De Jong before assessing what is left.

Once a deal for De Jong is done United will look at strengthening their attack and Ten Hag would like to sign another player he's familiar with from Ajax, one that is still playing his football in Amsterdam in this case, in Antony.

Already there are parallels with the pursuit of De Jong. Ajax's £69million asking price for a 22-year-old who still has something to prove is a hurdle to overcome. Ajax don't