Ajax winger Antony is reportedly Erik ten Hag's number one target at Manchester United... not Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The new manager is expected to make several signings this summer after the Red Devils endured a dismal campaign. They finished sixth in the Premier League - recording their lowest points total since 1989-90 (58) and haven't won a trophy since May 2017.
United have already said goodbye to several players since the 2021-22 campaign concluded - including Paul Pogba, Lee Grant, Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata. Phil Jones and Nemanja Matic are among those expected to depart in the coming weeks.
Many believe De Jong will be Ten Hag's first signing at Old Trafford. The 25-year-old helped the Dutchman's Ajax side win the Eredivisie title and KNVB Cup in 2018-19 - as well as reach the semi-finals of the Champions League - before joining Barcelona in July 2019.
De Jong has been an ever-present fixture in Barcelona's midfield since leaving Ajax, yet it's believed they are willing to let him leave the club this summer. The Catalan giants remain in financial trouble after confirming debts of more than £1billion in 2021.
De Jong's sale will go someway to easing that financial burden, and a number of young central midfielders have emerged from Barcelona's famous La Masia academy in recent years - including Riqui Puig, Nico Gonzalez, Gavi and Golden Boy winner Pedri.
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United's opening offer of £60million for De Jong was rejected by Barcelona, although they are expected to table another bid shortly. The 42-cap international's trademark No21 shirt is available at Old Trafford following the departure of ex-holder Cavani.
Although the De Jong deal is progressing, journalist Jorge Nicola claims the midfielder is not Ten Hag's top transfer target. Antony is thought to be the man at the top of the new manager's shortlist after helping him win back-to-back Eredivisie titles at Ajax.
The nine-cap Brazil international, who helped his country win gold at last summer's Olympics in Tokyo, scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists for Ajax in 2021-22. The 22-year-old is rated at £31.5m by Transfermarkt and has three years remaining on his existing deal.
"He [Antony] is the number one request of Erik ten Hag, it's just a matter of time and negotiations for the agreement to be closed," a source close to the winger told Nicola.
Speaking about Ten Hag in March, Antony said: "Every player under his guidance becomes a better footballer through his training. Since my arrival, he has given me a lot of confidence and believed in what I can do. I am grateful to him for that. I respect him very much."
Ten Hag described Antony as an "incredible talent" in November, adding: "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."
