Brazilian winger Antony is one of the most wanted young players in the world right now after a fantastic 2021/22.
Manchester United look set to gain a key advantage to his signature in the summer if his current Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is appointed as is expected, with The Telegraph tipping an announcement for next week.
A separate Telegraph report last month claimed Antony was a top target for Ten Hag at United, and this has also been reported by The Mirror.
Replacing Antony looks set to be a concern for Ajax next season, and now Ten Hag is set to get a peek first hand, without the money to spend, after the winger picked up an injury.
Antony season at risk
Antony could now miss the remainder of the season after picking up an injury on international duty with Brazil.
The winger was stretchered off in a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia last week and missed Ajax’s weekend Eredivisie win.
Ajax initially hope he would make a swift recovery, but after scans, they now state: “The injury to the right ankle is more serious than initially thought.”
The club statement added: “Trainer Erik ten Hag can in any case not call on Antony for the entire month of April. There is even a chance that the attacker will not be in action at all this season.”
This rules Antony out of the Dutch Cup final in mid-April, with Ajax set to take on PSV Eindhoven. He will also miss the rest of the Eredivisie run-in, where Ajax have a five point gap.
The winger has scored 12 goals this season and has provided eight assists, and United’s interest is understandable.
While United would want assurances over Antony’s ankle injury, the lay-off might end up suiting United.
A strong end to the season would have inflated his price tag, and hopefully by time negotiations come around, Ajax set a reasonable fee, rather than going upwards of £50 million.
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