Manchester United may benefit more from signing Ajax winger Antony more than Leeds United’s Raphinha, a former midfielder says. The Manchester Evening News understands that the former is one of Erik ten Hag’s transfer targets this summer, while the latter is being sought by Chelsea and Barcelona.
Both Brazilians have attracted the attention of a number of European giants after impressive seasons. Raphinha was initially linked with United before it was clear Ten Hag was pursuing other avenues.
One of them is Frenkie de Jong, and the MEN understands that a deal in principle for the Dutchman has been agreed. Former United player Luke Chadwick says that signing Antony - who lifted the Eredivisie under Ten Hag last season - over Raphinha would better benefit United.
READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes breaks Manchester United silence on Cristiano Ronaldo's future
De Jong, Antony and Donny van de Beek have all played under the new United boss during his Ajax tenure - something which could play an “important” part in United’s rebuild, Chadwick says.
“Raphinha has done it in the Premier League, and of course we haven’t seen Antony do that yet, but I think he’s got the ability to do that,” he told Caught Offside.
“If United do get him in, it’s an opportunity for Ten Hag to have potentially a few players, alongside Donny van de Beek, and Frenkie de Jong if they get him, who know his management and his tactics inside out.
“Obviously Raphinha looks like a player who’d fit the bill really well, but I can understand why Ten Hag might prefer Antony because of that connection at Ajax.”
He added: “I think what Ten Hag’s doing is targeting players he knows, which I think is quite important. It could be really useful for him to have players on the pitch who’ve worked with him before and know what he wants them to do."
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
READ NEXT:
