Man Utd ‘set budget’ for top target with club ‘prepared to raise offer’ to £80m including add-ons
Man Utd have reportedly ‘set a budget’ for Ajax attacker Antony with them now ‘prepared’ to increase their offer to £80m including add-ons.
While most of their rivals did the majority of their business early, Man Utd instead prefer to live life in the fast lane.
They strengthened their centre-midfield this week, with Casemiro joining the club for an initial £60m from Real Madrid.
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This signing came out of the blue, as Man Utd were previously targeting Frenkie de Jong in what quickly turned into a very dull saga.
With a new centre-midfielder secured, Man Utd are now focused on signing a winger.
While they appear to have given up on De Jong, Antony is a long-term target they remain focused on bringing in.
PSV’s Cody Gakpo is being looked at as a cheaper alternative with Ajax reportedly demanding €100m (£84m) for Antony.
United have already offered around £67m for the Brazilian. Tottenham ‘insider’ John Wenham has argued that the bids for Antony are “utterly ludicrous”:
“Pure panic, it’s an absolute mess,” Wenham told Football Insider.
“It’s been a mess ever since Ten Hag walked in. At the start of the window it was clear they wanted Timber, De Jong and Nunez, they didn’t get any of them.
“Instead they are now putting in utterly ludicrous bids for Antony. What is even more ludicrous is Ajax turning that reported offer down.
“Ajax held Tottenham over hot coals for months to get the money for Bergwijn, now they are turning bids like that down?
“I don’t understand that, I would have bitten their hand off. Man United are just an utter, utter mess at the moment.
“Martinez doesn’t look suited to the Premier League at all and Varane can’t get a game. They are a shambles.”
Antony’s move to Man Utd may be edging closer with it suggested on Tuesday that the deal should be ‘completed this week’.
Sky Sports have added fuel to the fire by revealing that United are primed to ‘raise their offer’ for their main target.
The Red Devils are willing to offer £80m (€94m) to Ajax including add-ons.
United feel a breakthrough is on its way as they are ‘hopeful a deal can be agreed’ before the end of this week.
The report adds that this offer would see Ajax ‘receive more money up front’. Antony has made it clear that he wants the move and he will more than likely get his wish before September 1.
A separate report from Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic has revealed that the player’s representatives are in London ahead of the close of the transfer window.
It is added that United’s hopes of signing both Antony and Gakpo are ‘reducing’, while their interest in Alvaro Morata ‘has ended’.
