Manchester United report: Nine-figure sum needed to bring in two targets
Ajax have set a huge asking price for Lisandro Martinez and Antony
Ajax are demanding a nine-figure sum from Manchester United for the double signing of Lisandro Martinez and Antony, according to reports.
The Red Devils have been linked with Erik ten Hag’s two former charges this summer as they look to build a squad in the new manager’s image.
United have completed just one deal so far this summer, the capture of left-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord.
And according to the Daily Record, they will have to splurge €125 million (£106m) if they want to add Martinez and Antony to their ranks.
That is the sum being requested by the Dutch champions, although the will of the two players could sway matters in United’s favour.
Personal terms have already been agreed with the pair, and they have put pressure on the Eredivisie champions to accept United’s current offers.
Recent reports said the Old Trafford club have made an offer of £37m for Martinez and a £51m bid for Antony.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
That combined sum comes to £88m, which falls £18m short of Ajax’s reported demands for the double deal.
Ten Hag’s side fly out to Thailand on Friday for the start of a pre-season tour that will also take them to Australia.
However, there will be one conspicuous absence, as wantaway striker Cristiano Ronaldo won’t travel with the team due to family problems.
More Manchester United stories
Frenkie de Jong has been United's top target this summer and the Red Devils are close to agreeing a deal - although they remain willing to walk away if the price isn't right and Harry Maguire even came up in talks at one point.
A bid has been submitted for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, while United are closing in on Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia.
Marco Asensio of Real Madrid has emerged as a surprise target, but Erik ten Hag will have a budget of just £100 million to work with this summer.
Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.