‘Never say never’ – Man Utd dealt fresh hope over Antony transfer as Ajax chief admits star winger could still quit club

AJAX are refusing to rule out selling Manchester United target Antony.

The Red Devils were particularly keen on the Brazilian, who excelled under Erik ten Hag last season, earlier this summer.

Ajax told United chiefs that Antony would cost them £67million and links subsequently went cold.

Having already sold a host of players, including Lisandro Martinez to Old Trafford, Ajax are hoping to keep their current squad as it is going into the new season.

But Ajax technical manager Gerry Hamstra doesn't feel that he can rule anything out.

He told : "We want to keep this group together. I assume that no one leaves this core anymore.

"Of course you can never say never, I have learned that by now.

"But we also talk about it with the players, have conversations. Also with boys who may have a wish to leave.

"Ajax players are drawn, that is logical."

The Eredivisie side have raised around £100m this summer by selling Martinez, Ryan Gravenberch, Sebastien Haller and Nicolas Tagliafico.

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They have been active themselves, splashing out on Steven Bergwijn, Calvin Bassey, Brian Brobbey, Owen Wijndal and Francisco Conceicao.

United may need to fork out on a forward themselves, should Cristiano Ronaldo leave.

The Portuguese veteran finally returned to Carrington for talks at around 10.45am, leaving just shy of 5pm.

Should they fail to convince the 37-year-old to stay, Neymar has emerged as a shock target.

While Wissam Ben Yedder, Ivan Toney and Sasa Kalajdzic are also on their radar.