Ajax identify Antony replacement as Man Utd interest intensifies
Cameron Smith
- 19 Aug 2022 17:32 BST
- 3 min read
Ajax have identified former star and current Chelsea wantaway Hakim Ziyech as a possible replacement for Antony as Manchester United's interest in the Brazilian intensifies.
Erik ten Hag, who was in charge at Ajax last season, is keen to be reunited with his prodigy Antony at Old Trafford, but the Amsterdam based side have rejected an €80 million offer submitted by Man Utd.
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However, the Eredivisie side are acutely aware that the Red Devils remain heavily interested in Antony and have identified Ziyech as a potential replacement should Man Utd bid again for the Brazilian this transfer window.
Ziyech, 27, left Ajax to join Chelsea in 2020 but has been unable to stamp his authority and become a guaranteed starter at Stamford Bridge since arriving two years ago.
The Moroccan was favoured under Frank Lampard, but his successor Thomas Tuchel has mostly deployed a 3-4-3 system that doesn't suit Ziyech's best attributes; as a result, he's found himself as a rotation option rather than a key member of the starting XI.
The 27-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Scudetto champions AC Milan to fill the void at right-wing, but the Rossoneri have instead signed Charles De Ketelaere from Club Brugge, while they have faith in youngster Junior Messias.
As a result, talk of Ziyech moving to San Siro has quietened, with a move now looking unlikely as the window heads into its final days.
However, Ziyech still wants an exit from Chelsea, with his future at the Stamford Bridge club uncertain. He's been an unused substitute in the Blues' opening two Premier League fixtures of the 2022-23 season, with USMNT star Christian Pulisic preferred as the impact option off the bench, while Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz are the favoured starting trio.
Hakim Ziyech back to Ajax?
According to De Telegraaf's Mike Verweij, Ziyech is open to the idea of re-joining Ajax, while the Amsterdam based side are exploring the possibility of signing him on loan before potentially purchasing him on a permanent deal next summer.
It remains to be seen whether Antony will leave Ajax, but if he does depart for Man Utd, then Ajax will target Ziyech on loan to fill the hole on their right-flank. They will then attempt to buy him in 2023, whether that be through activating a buy-option in the prospective loan deal, or outright purchasing him after the one-year loan stint comes to an end.
Any permanent deal will depend on the price Chelsea demand, and there is reportedly still potential that an obligation could be included if a loan deal comes to fruition.
