Erik ten Hag will urge ’s hierarchy to break the bank to sign winger Antony if the club decide to bow to ’s transfer request, according to reports.
The Portuguese superstar is believed to have asked United chiefs to let him leave Old Trafford this summer – just one year after joining – and does not feel he can compete for silverware at the club.
United remain insistent that Ronaldo will not be allowed to leave, while Ten Hag is believed to have been planning his attack around the 37-year-old.
But Ronaldo has a queue of potential suitors, including the likes of Roma, Sporting Lisbon, and even Chelsea, and there is a school of thought that the veteran forward is a poor fit for Ten Hag’s style play.
Should United decide to rid themselves of their top scorer from last season – who is also their highest-paid player – they would need to invest in a new attacker.
That will be easier said than done, with United still yet to make a signing this summer, but Ten Hag has a very clear idea of who he wants to replace Ronaldo should the five-time Ballon d’Or winner leave.
According to , the ex-Ajax boss will speak to United’s board and ‘put pressure’ on his new employers to stump up the required funds to land Antony.
The Red Devils have already enquired about signing the Brazilian but Ajax were adamant he would not be sold, with the Eredivisie champions having already been raided this summer.
Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui have both joined Bayern Munich, Andre Onana has joined Inter on a free transfer and Sebastien Haller is on the verge of joining Borussia Dortmund.
Ajax have therefore set a price tag of £70million for Antony in an attempt to ward off suitors, while Lisandro Martinez – who is also wanted by United as well as Arsenal – .
United’s hierarchy had felt they had been priced out of a move for Antony, but Ten Hag will ask them to reconsider their position and return to Ajax with an improved offer should Ronaldo leave.
That would mean United would have to increase the initial transfer budget they had earmarked for this summer – though those plans were drawn up under the assumption Ronaldo would be staying.
Should the Portuguese forward leave, United would demand a fee that could go towards a replacement, while they are also working hard to secure deals for Frenkie de Jong and left-back Tyrell Malacia.
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