Manchester United and Liverpool have both made an approach for Ajax attacker Antony, who is Erik ten Hag’s main target this summer, according to reports in Brazil.
The 22-year-old has been one of Ajax’s standout performers under Erik ten Hag this campaign, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists in 33 games.
United are looking to improve their attacking options after a poor campaign and it’s believed that Ten Hag has identified Antony as a signing who could immediately improve his team.
Ten Hag has now worked with Anthony for two years at Ajax and the Brazil international was quick to make an impact in the Eredivisie after his arrival from Sao Paulo in an £18.2m deal in 2020.
However, UOL report Liverpool are also in the running to sign Antony and have made a major approach ‘in recent weeks’ along with United.
The report claims that Newcastle have also made an approach but the Ajax winger’s preference would be to sign for either United or Liverpool.
In an interview with De Telegraaf on Monday, Ten Hag clearly made his admiration for Antony known.
‘If Antony were to go, it would be a loss for Ajax,’ Ten Hag said. ‘You have no-one in the current squad who can take over his position. He is top class.’
Speaking about Anthony’s impact on the Ajax team this month, Ten Hag said: ‘Without Antony it is all a bit less fast and dynamic on the right, which also makes it more difficult for the team. Then the spaces become a lot smaller.’
Anthony’s current contract with Ajax will expire in 2025.
