Pundit expecting improved Antony bid after £67.6m news from Man United
Noel Whelan has insisted Ajax can hold Man United to “ransom” over a deal for winger Antony in the final weeks of the window.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Dutch giants are in the driving seat as they can see how much Erik ten Hag’s side are “struggling”.
According to the Daily Mirror (18 August), Man United have seen a £67.6million bid for long-term target Antony rejected by Ajax as they desperately search for attacking reinforcements.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano updated on Friday (19 August), claiming the Old Trafford club “are not giving up” on the Brazil international as they feel he “really wants” the move.
The winger, who is under contract until June 2025, scored 12 goals in 33 games last term and has started the new campaign with two goals in three outings.
Man United have completed the signings of Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, and Christian Eriksen thus far this summer – and have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Real Madrid star Casemiro.
Whelan backed Ajax to make Ten Hag’s side “work financially hard” to sign Antony in the last two weeks of the window.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “They’ve put in this offer of 80 million euros.
“Ajax will look at that and reject it, because they know that Man United will come back with another huge bid.
“There are two weeks to go, and they know how in need of players they are. They can see how much they’re struggling.
“They can hold a club like Man United to ransom because they’ve just left it too late in the window.
“Antony probably wants to move, but Ajax are going to make Man United work financially hard to get him in – and they have brought that on themselves.”
In other news, pundit claims England star is “not happy one bit” at Man United after Sky reveal.