Manchester United keeping eye on Antony following Ajax's Francisco Conceicao purchase
Karan Tejwani
- 16 Jul 2022 15:45 BST
- 3 min read
Ajax are close to completing a move for Francisco Conceicao from FC Porto, which could open the door for a move to Manchester United for Antony.
The Portuguese winger is on his way to Amsterdam to complete the formalities for a move to the Dutch champions in a move that will come at a cut-price €5m.
Conceicao is highly-rated in Portugal, and has a strong reputation for a 19-year-old, prompting Ajax to make a move for the player.
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However, many see this as a preparation for the potential departure of Antony, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United to reunite with former boss Erik ten Hag.
Man Utd could move for Antony
Manchester United have been interested in Antony, with Ten Hag seeing him as an option to improve their attacking line, especially if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves.
Earlier in July, it was reported that Manchester United launched a €60 million bid for the Brazilian player, but Ajax are holding out for €80 million for one of their star names.
Ajax have already lost a host of talent this summer, including Ryan Gravenberch to Bayern Munich and Sebastien Haller to Borussia Dortmund, while Lisandro Martinez could be going to Old Trafford himself soon.
Still can’t get over these scenes in De Klassieker between Ajax and Feyenoord.
After Antony’s celebration, that jersey will be auctioned off, with all the proceeds donated to a children’s hospital.
pic.twitter.com/HA4owEkalU— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) March 22, 2022
They’ll be keen to avoid on losing any more talent, and the signing of Conceicao may just be a precaution in case Antony does end up leaving in the near future.
At Ajax, the line has always been that as one star gets ready to go, another is always in the making, and they may be signing Conceicao with that in mind.
Antony is more likely to move next year than this, and Conceicao may be brought in now to give him a period to adapt to life in the Netherlands and the Ajax way of playing.
Manchester United will be reluctant to meet Ajax’s high asking price, with the Red Devils prioritizing other positions such as midfield, full-back and possibly bringing in an out-and-out forward should Cristiano Ronaldo leave.
