Over the past couple of weeks, it has been reported that United are interested in signing Antony and Lisandro Martínez from Ajax. However, it does not look like United will get them on the cheap, or whether they get both of them at all, according to Simon Mullock of The Mirror.
Erik ten Hag is seeking to enhance United’s squad this season and with United still trying to get a deal secured to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, it would seem that it is not going to be an easy transfer window for United. With preseason training soon to be starting time is not what United have.
Granted, the transfer window will remain open until 23:00 BST on Thursday 1 September 2022 but United need to get things down early this summer, not let it drag on like every other transfer window. Ten Hag will welcome some of his squad back to Carrington from Monday.
The Dutch manager was also interested in signing Jurriën Timber from Ajax too but a word in the ear from Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal, a former United manager who was sacked days after winning the Emirates FA Cup, he seems happy to remain at Ajax, at least for now.
It was reported on Monday that United were seeking to gazump Arsenal for Martínez this summer after the North London club saw a £30 million bid rejected. However, United would need to pay a considerable fee to sign the Argentinian this summer.
Antony was also in the next on Monday with reports suggesting that United were to be in Amsterdam on Tuesday for discussions about the Brazilian with talk of a £40 million fee but further reports have suggested that the player is worth £50 million to the club meaning this could get expensive.
If United wanted to sign both players this summer from Ajax, they would need to make it worth the while for the Dutch champions who will not want to see their squad plundered this summer. United’s owners, the Glazers will be seeking to get things done on the cheap once again.
That said, it seems like this is why United are in the situation that they are having spent more than £1 billon on transfers post-Sir Alex Ferguson. It could well be that United may need to pick whether they buy Antony or Martínez this summer. I am sure Ten Hag has many other targets.
Over the past four years, Ajax have cashed in with the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech leaving the club. So far this summer, Ryan Gravenberch has been sold with Sebastian Haller close to leaving too.
Written by John Walker
