Man Utd ‘made late check for different player’ before striking £84m Antony transfer deal

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Manchester United made a late check on Everton’s Anthony Gordon before ultimately agreeing an £84million fee for Ajax’s Antony, according to reports. The Red Devils have been chasing a new forward throughout the summer transfer window. And, now, they’re finally on the cusp of landing their man.

Manchester United have been eyeing a new forward amid the uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-term future, with the 37-year-old still eager to leave for a team who can offer him Champions League football.

Edinson Cavani has left, while Mason Greenwood remains unavailable having last featured for the club in January.

On Sunday, it emerged United were close to landing their man in Antony.

Erik ten Hag previously managed the Brazil international at Ajax and feels he can be a huge hit at Old Trafford, with a massive £84m deal now agreed.

However, The Athletic say United ‘made a late check’ on Everton winger Gordon before ultimately deciding to stump up the cash for Antony instead.

Gordon is one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects, having made a big impression during his brief Everton career so far.

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Chelsea have been eyeing the 21-year-old, amid suggestions they’re prepared to pay as much as £60m to lure him away from Goodison Park.

And with United now going for Antony, that effectively gives Todd Boehly and Thomas Tuchel a free run at the Everton star with just days of the transfer window remaining.

That said, it’s claimed Chelsea only have a ‘slim’ chance of bringing Gordon to Stamford Bridge before the deadline.

Christian Pulisic, who has been linked with United as well, is primed to stay in west London – particularly with Callum Hudson-Odoi poised to go out on loan to Bayer Leverkusen.

And it’s claimed United are now said to have ‘cooled’ interest in PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo in the wake of their deal to sign Antony.

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Everton, Leeds and Southampton are all interested in the Netherlands international, who scored 12 goals and clocked up 12 assists in the Eredivisie last term.

And it’s Southampton who have supposedly ‘made the most concrete approach so far’, though PSV turned down their offer.

United star James Garner is on Everton’s radar, with the 21-year-old being eyed as an alternative, or perhaps an addition to, Idriss Gueye.

Yet while Garner is on the market, the Toffees are supposedly waiting for the Red Devils to ‘engage’ before going all out for his signature.

If United do sell the midfielder, he’ll become the latest player to depart Old Trafford this summer.

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Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Lee Grant, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba all left on free transfers earlier in the window.

Likewise D’Mani Mellor, Reece Devine and Connor Stanley, while Paul McShane announced his retirement from playing.

Eric Bailly has been sent on loan to Marseille, six years after he was recruited by Jose Mourinho.

And Alex Telles and Dean Henderson have sealed loans to Sevilla and Nottingham Forest respectively.

Meanwhile, speaking after United beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday, Ten Hag ruled out a No 9 arriving before Thursday – but did admit they’d strike if the right player became available.

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“I think he [Rashford] was quite effective, especially the first 15 mins after half-time. He understood he has to be a target at times,” said Ten Hag. “He was the one who creates the situations.

“He was involved in the situations after half time and he played an important role in our attacks in the first 15 mins after half-time.

“That is what I expected when there is a lot of pressure on the ball that there is a striker that we can play over and he did really well.

“We have Cristiano, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford so we are okay [for strikers].

“If a good player is available we will strike because we want to strengthen the squad. Always. We will be alert until the last second of the window.”

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