Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold has appeared to confirm that a big-money deal for Ajax forward Antony is edging closer in a video shared on social media.
The 22-year-old winger has been on United's radar all summer after he was identified as one of Erik ten Hag's primary transfer targets, but the club have so far failed to strike a deal with Ajax, who are reluctant to lose one of their prized attacking assets.
It was reported earlier this week that the Dutch giants had rejected a £67.9million bid from United - despite the fact that Antony has made it clear that he would like to quit the club in order to reunite with Ten Hag in the Premier League.
Manchester United remain determined to strike a deal for the Brazilian ace before the September 1 deadline and the club are now confident that they can come to an agreement with Ajax in the coming days.
And off the back of reports outlining the growing confidence over a deal, Arnold may have dropped the biggest hint yet that United's long-running pursuit of the Ajax star is close to bearing fruit.
In a video clip shared on social media, Arnold is caught on camera as he prepares to get into a car to leave Old Trafford, with various fans shouting questions at the United chief. When one fan repeatedly asks if the club are going to sign Antony, Arnold appears to give a subtle nod just before he enters the vehicle, sending fans into a frenzy.
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Although confidence is growing over a deal at Old Trafford, it was revealed earlier this week that Ajax are determined to hold out for a monster fee for Antony, who plundered 12 goals for the Dutch champions last term.
And Ajax are under no financial pressure to sell the wantaway star after they raked in an initial £46m from the sale of Lisandro Martinez, who was also pursued heavily by Manchester United after becoming one of the club's most important players during Ten Hag's tenure.
According to The Athletic, that could leave United faced with the prospect of paying up to €100million (£84.3m) in order to prise Antony away from Amsterdam before the September 1 deadline - although a 'compromise' figure of around €94m (£79.2m) has also been mooted.
But United are now seemingly ready to pay a premium price to land Ten Hag's top target after cooling interest in PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo, who had emerged as a viable alternative to Antony in recent weeks.
