Manchester United offered fresh hope in Antony pursuit?

Manchester United have reportedly been offered fresh hope in their pursuit of Ajax forward Antony.

The 22-year-old was a standout performer for the Eredivisie champions last season, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists in 32 appearances across all competitions.

Erik ten Hag signed the Brazilian for Ajax in the summer of 2020 from Sao Paulo, and the new Red Devils boss is keen to reunite with the forward at Old Trafford this summer.

Man United appeared to have been handed a boost in their quest to recruit Antony after Ajax announced the signings of Porto winger Francisco Conceicao and RB Leipzig forward Brian Brobbey on permanent deals last week.

However, Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder has publicly expressed his desire to keep hold of Antony this summer, a decision which has allegedly angered both the forward and his agent Junior Pedroso, who have already held talks over a move to United.

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Speaking to reporters last weekend, Schreuder said: "We have sold a certain amount of players and I am expecting nobody else to leave. We talk on a daily basis. It would be very bad for us if we would lose another starting player."

Despite Schreuder's comments, United have been handed a lifeline in their bid to sign Antony as Ajax technical manager Gerry Hamstra has refused to rule out the prospect of selling more key players even though they are keen to keep the current squad together for the remainder of the window.

Ajax have already allowed Lisandro Martinez to join United, while Sebastian Haller, Ryan Gravenberch, Noussair Mazraoui, Andre Onana and Nicolas Tagliafico have also left the club this summer.

"We want to keep this group together. I assume that no-one leaves this core anymore," Hamstra told Voetbal International, via the Manchester Evening News.

"Of course, you can never say never and I have learned that by now. But we also talk about it with the players and have conversations, also boys who may have a wish to leave. Ajax players are drawn, that is logical."

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It is thought that Ajax would be prepared to part ways with Antony if they receive an offer of at least €70m (£59.9m), roughly four times the amount that they signed him for two years ago.

However, a potential move may depend on whether United decide to offload legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been strongly linked with a departure this summer.

The 37-year-old has returned to the United's training complex this week, with his agent Jorge Mendes believed to be holding talks with the club's hierarchy to discuss the player's future.

While Antony still has three years remaining on his contract in Amsterdam, Ronaldo has entered the final 12 months of his deal at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, United remain interested in signing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, while they are also after another defender and a back-up goalkeeper following the loan departure of Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest.