Manchester United have been handed a glimmer of hope in their long-standing pursuit of Ajax winger Antony.
Antony has emerged as a transfer target at Old Trafford this summer with Erik ten Hag seeking a reunion with the Brazilian, who he signed from Sao Paulo and managed for two seasons during his time in Amsterdam.
Having parted ways with Lisandro Martinez, who recently moved to the red half of Manchester, and Sebastien Haller, Ryan Gravenberch, Nicolas Tagliafico and Noussair Mazraoui, Ajax are understandably reluctant to let go of another of their stars in Antony.
However, one of the Eredivisie champions’ chiefs Gerry Hamstra has left room for uncertainty regarding any further departures from the Johan Cruyff Arena ahead of the upcoming campaign.
“We want to keep this group together; I am assuming that nobody will leave from this core,” Hamstra told Voetbal International (h/t Soccer Nieuws).
“Of course, you can never say never, I have learned that but we also talk to the players about it and have discussions also with guys who might have a wish to leave.
“Ajax players are in demand, that is logical, there is capital on the pitch.
“They are all boys who have developed further with us.
“It is now up to us to keep players, and often their environment, calm and show them what we’re doing.”
United are expected to continue their quest to sign Antony but the chances of a move continue to diminish rapidly as the weeks go by.
A fee of €80million has been quoted for the 22-year-old but it is hard to see United forking out such a significant amount at this point in time as the Red Devils remain keen on landing Frenkie de Jong for whom an €85m deal has been agreed with La Liga giants Barcelona.
