MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on an £84million deal for Ajax winger Antony – but have a back-up plan if things go wrong.
The Red Devils are hopeful they can finalise the transfer and bring the 22-year-old to Old Trafford in what would be their fifth signing of the summer.
However, with moves for the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Adrien Rabiot having already collapsed in recent weeks, it remains to be seen whether Erik ten Hag's side will be left empty-handed once more.
If a deal for Antony does fall through, Man Utd reportedly have three players on a shortlist of alternatives to the Brazilian.
According to ESPN, one of the players they are monitoring is Chelsea star Christian Pulisic.
Earlier this month, United were linked with a loan move for the American, 23, as he searches for more game time away from Stamford Bridge.
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However, they put the brakes on that pursuit after it was reported that he wanted Champions League football – something United cannot currently offer.
But with less than one week left of the transfer window, Pulisic may end up having to settle for a move to a team outside of Europe's elite competition.
Another player on United's list is PSV forward Cody Gakpo, 23, who missed out on qualifying for the Champions League group stages earlier this week when the Dutch side were beaten by Rangers.
So far, Ten Hag's men have not been willing to match the £42m asking price, but that could change if they miss out on Antony and become desperate.
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And the final man on the three-man list is Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram.
The German outfit are thought to be willing to let him go for a bargain price of between £10-15m as his contract expires next summer.
Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with moves for the 24-year-old Frenchman.
United have already signed four players this summer – Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.
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They started the campaign in woeful fashion, losing 2-1 to Brighton before being humiliated in a 4-0 loss to Brentford.
But they showed signs of life on Monday night in a 2-1 win over Liverpool, a result that will give them confidence heading to St Mary's this weekend where they take on Southampton.
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