Ajax chiefs hold talks over United’s £76m Antony bid

MANCHESTER UNITED are awaiting the outcome of a board meeting at Ajax before making their next move for winger Antony.

Ajax rejected United’s £76million bid for the Brazilian on Friday but the 22-year-old was hoping the Dutch club’s finance directors would instead see the benefit of accepting the offer.

Antony (right) and his agents reason that such an offer may not come again and he has pleaded for the opportunity to join United. He is refusing to train and has been left out of today’s game with Utrecht.

Ajax expect United to return with another offer closer to £84m but are also looking for potential replacements. A move for Hakim Ziyech collapsed after Chelsea demanded £37m while Ajax wanted a loan. They have considered Roma’s Justin Kluivert who is the subject of an offer from Fulham while Aston Villa’s Anwar El Ghazi, who is also a target for PSV Eindhoven, has also been discussed. United believe that if Ajax can settle on a suitable replacement, the move is more likely to go ahead.

United want two forwards and a goalkeeper before Thursday’s deadline. They retain an interest in Christian Pulisic but Chelsea will only consider a sale, not a loan. Former United forward Memphis Depay, of Barcelona, has been offered but is not a ‘live’ target. There remains the possibility they could lose Cristiano Ronaldo this week but at this stage say there is no change to his situation.

Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti dismissed the prospect of his club signing Ronaldo yesterday. Italian media had linked United with a potential £84m swap deal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen amid reports Jorge Mendes had held talks with the Serie A club.

However, Spalletti said: ‘If you’re asking me if I’d like to work with Ronaldo, I tell you no coach would say no to that. Speaking to [president Aurelio] De Laurentiis, he told me that he received no offer, so let’s remain as realistic as possible here and take into consideration only things that could happen.’

Martin Dubravka wants Newcastle to soften their stance and allow him his dream move to United. The Old Trafford club turned to Dubravka last week after being quoted £21m for Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp.

The 33-year-old Slovak international was left out of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win over Tranmere after officially being declared ‘ill’ as talks picked up between the two clubs. United have asked to take him on loan with an option to buy but Newcastle are insisting they want a straight sale for £5million.