Antony passnotes: Who is Ajax star Manchester United want?

Manchester United’s summer transfer business has been one of the stories of the window, as their haphazard approach has seen them linked with a whole host of stars across Europe and beyond.

The protracted Frenkie de Jong saga has dominated their summer, while they have missed out on a plethora of forwards, been turned down by Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot and had to deal with a wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo.

Erik ten Hag has so far added Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia, but is desperate to strengthen further in the final days of the transfer window.

Erik ten Hag is desperate to add further signings to build on Man United’s win over Liverpool

One player they hope to bring in is Ajax winger Antony who has been linked with a reunion with his former boss, while United are also interested in a £38million move for Dutch winger Cody Gakpo from PSV.

The Red Devils had a £68m bid rejected for Antony last week but are expected to go in with a second £80m offer, with the Brazilian keen on the move.

He watched Ten Hag’s side beat Liverpool on Monday from his home, while he was left out of Ajax’s 1-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday after he trained alone in the week following news of that United bid.

With that in mind, Sportsmail takes a look at Antony and weighs up what he would offer United should he be snapped up this summer.

Antony was spotted watching Manchester United vs Liverpool with his brother and agent

They saw Erik ten Hag secure his first win as United manager with a 2-1 victory on the night

Who is he? 

Ajax star Antony, 22, has seen his stock rise over the past year, and he has fast become one of the continent’s most exciting talents.

He impressed in his homeland while playing for Sao Paulo, with the winger first making his name when he won the J League Challenge tournament in Japan with the Brazilian side’s youth team, and he was voted as the Player of the Tournament.

This provided the platform for his breakthrough campaign with the first team in 2019 when he scored six goals before he joined the Dutch giants for an initial £13m as a 19-year-old in 2020.

Antony has excelled ever since he moved to Ajax and has become one of Europe’s hottest stars

United are also interested in a move for PSV winger Cody Gakpo, who is valued at £38m 

The winger has been a revelation ever since he moved to Europe and excelled across his two full seasons at the Johan Cruyff Arena, winning two Eredivisie titles under Erik ten Hag.

He hit the ground running in Amsterdam with 10 goals and 10 assists in his first campaign before he added 12 goals and 10 assists last season.

This included two goals and four assists in seven Champions League games as Ajax dominated their group with six wins from six, before they were knocked out by Benfica in the last-16.

He continued his fine form at the start of this season, scoring once and adding two assists in the first two Eredivisie games, before he was left out for the clash with Sparta Rotterdam.

In total he has 24 goals and 22 assists in 82 games for the Dutch club, with his impressive performances in the Champions League catching the eye of a whole host of suitors across Europe.

What is his playing style like? 

The 5ft 9ins speedster plays on the right side of midfield or attack and is renowned for cutting in on his left foot and causing havoc for opposition defences.

Antony is seen as a complete modern attacker, with an ability to score goals, provide assists with defence-splitting passes, and take on defenders.

The skilful Brazilian is seen as a proactive player who is always keen to attack the opposition and dribble past opponents. His directness is attractive to suitors.

He is technically strong, while his speed and acceleration are some of his key assets.

According to WhoScored.com, Antony was fouled an average of 1.3 times per game in the Dutch top flight, which demonstrates his dynamic playing style.

The winger played under Ten Hag in Amsterdam and the pair had a great working relationship

Compared to the United squad last season, which looked disjointed going forward during the dismal reign of Ralf Rangnick, the Brazilian averaged 1.8 dribbles per game, which was only bettered by Paul Pogba’s two for the Red Devils.

Similarly, his 1.6 key passes per game was beaten by just Luke Shaw (2) and Bruno Fernandes (2.5), while only Cristiano Ronaldo (3.7) had more shots per game than the Ajax star (3.4), suggesting Antony would add much-needed creativity to Ten Hag’s side.

The Brazilian has had question marks thrown at him surrounding his defensive output, but if he can provide attacking flair at Old Trafford, this won’t be as big an issue.

How do his stats compare to other United targets? 

United have been linked with a whole host of attackers this summer but as the final days of the transfer window tick by, it looks as if they have settled on Antony and PSV winger Gakpo.

Their hopes of acquiring Gakpo are boosted by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side being knocked out of the Champions League by Rangers on Wednesday.

Ten Hag had hoped to add both wingers with the Dutchman desperate to bolster his attacking options, although the chances of both signing are reducing, meaning they may have to prioritise one.

Gakpo would be a much cheaper option at around £38m and the 23-year-old statistically outperformed Antony in the Eredivisie last season.

This raises questions over whether United should refocus their efforts on the Dutch international and also whether they are paying way over the odds for the Brazilian.

Antony may have beaten Gakpo to the league title with PSV finishing just two points behind Ten Hag’s side last season, but the Dutch star outshines Antony in numerous measures.

PSV winger Gakpo statistically outperformed Antony last season including in goals and assists

It must be noted that Gakpo did play 27 times in the league compared to Antony’s 23 but he did net 12 times while the Brazilian scored eight.

Gakpo thoroughly outshone his Ajax counterpart in terms of assists, laying on 13 goals for his teammates compared to Antony’s four, meaning the PSV star provided a goal contribution every 76.4 minutes, whereas Antony provided one every 144.6 minutes.

Gakpo’s 3.6 dribbles per game would have him clear compared to United’s players last year, while he created 3.3 chances per game in the Eredivisie in contrast to Antony’s 1.9.

Despite Antony’s undoubted class and pedigree, along with his close working relationship with Ten Hag from their time in Holland, the statistics of Gakpo do raise questions over the move for Antony.

But, if Ten Hag can complete deals for both as hoped, he will have added two of the Eredivisie’s most destructive talents.

What has been said?

After Ajax rejected the first United bid, their manager Alfred Schreuder demanded the club resist any further offers for their star.

Speaking following their 1-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam which Antony missed, he told reporters: ‘I am assuming that the club will not sell Antony as we’re in a good financial position. I told the board that I want him to stay here.’

Antony meanwhile excelled under Ten Hag when the pair were together in Amsterdam and last week the winger hailed the influence of the Dutchman on his career.

He told Dutch paper De Telegraaf: ‘Erik has been super important to me. I will always cheer for Erik after working so closely together.

Alfred Schreuder says he wants Antony to stay at the club and that Ajax are in a strong position

Antony has also broken through to the Brazil team after his strong performances for Ajax

When asked whether he could guarantee his stay with Ajax beyond the summer, he added: ‘No, to be perfectly honest, I can’t.

‘Now I am focusing on playing football and have put all other matters in the hands of my agents and my brother. They will advise me on what is best.’

Antony’s comments have only heightened speculation about his future, while Ten Hag has long been a fan, admitting in November 2021 that he expected Antony to be prised away from Ajax while he was manager.

Ten Hag told ESPN: ‘He is going through an incredibly beautiful development. Especially if we perform in the Champions League, then it is clear that he will come into the spotlight and be interesting for a lot of clubs.

‘If you play a role in the Brazilian selection, it is clear that he will be pulled. From a sporting point of view, it is clear that he is an incredible talent.’

Speaking in May, he also told De Telegraaf: ‘If Antony were to go, it would be a loss for Ajax, because you have no-one in the current selection who can take over his position. He is top class.’

Who wants him?

Antony’s form has alerted several top European clubs, but United are favourites for his signature 

While Ajax are insistent that Antony won’t be sold, the Brazilian has made it clear he wants to join United.

Ten Hag’s side are the front-runners for the winger, although over the past year he has also been linked with a whole host of top European clubs including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Liverpool.

A second £80m bid is expected from United and Antony is confident that he will be able to conclude a move before the transfer window shuts.

His agents are in London to try and push through a deal, while Ajax are also lining up Hakim Ziyech as a replacement, although there are reports that the move is on the verge of collapse.

The Brazilian is confident of sealing a move to Old Trafford with personal terms provisionally agreed, while his representatives have already begun searching for houses in the Cheshire area. 

Time is running out however, and United must act fast to get the deal over the line before Wednesday’s deadline.

Recognised internationally?

Antony impressed for Brazil’s Under 23 team and was part of their Olympic squad for the delayed Tokyo games in the summer of 2021.

He helped his nation to win the gold medal, playing six times and starting in their 2-1 win over Spain in the final.

Following the tournament, he made his debut for the Brazil senior team last October and scored on his international debut against Venezuela.

He has since gone on to score twice and add two assists in nine games, although only two of these have been starts.

The winger will hope to be part of the Selecao’s team in Qatar this winter, and could join a whole host of other Premier League stars in their squad if he does complete the move to Old Trafford.