Manchester United's pursuit of Ajax star Antony could now hinge on Cristiano Ronaldo's future, talkSPORT has been told.
Ronaldo has informed the club he wishes to leave this summer as he wants to play Champions League football.
Ronaldo could be on his way out of Old Trafford this summer
United remain adamant that they want him to stay for the final year of his contract, but there are sure to be many twists and turns before the transfer window closes.
One player the Red Devils had been looking at, before the Ronaldo bombshell, was Antony - a player new boss Erik ten Hag knows very well.
Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan believes the forward could be the marquee signing United would want if Ronaldo was to leave.
He told talkSPORT: "This will all depend on Ronaldo staying or going because if Ronaldo goes, you need a big-name player for Manchester United.
"One of the four biggest clubs in the world cannot afford to enter the season with an average forward line.
"Antony is a big name in the Netherlands, a big name in the Brazil national team and emerging as a really gifted player.
Antony is wanted by the Red Devils, but it may be linked to Ronaldo's future
"I think the crowd at Manchester United are used to having a marquee player. They need somebody special.
"We have seen in Holland, so far, he is that special player. That's been in the Eredivisie and would have to prove that in the Premier League.
"Antony has been given a price tag of just over £70m. That has only been put on him by Ajax to scare people off. It's something similar they do in Barcelona or Madrid, they put £250m as a buyout clause. Nobody is going to pay that and it's just to scare people off.
"Ajax may think this is a huge fee in the Netherlands. Nobody has paid that sort of money in our league.
The Ten Hag revolution is underway at Old Trafford, but we are still awaiting signings
"At the same time, £70m, if you want to bring in a really top player, it might be doable for Manchester United.
"Once Ronaldo does decide to go, it's a very good option for Erik ten Hag. He knows him, knows he's a top player, and had some cracking performances in the Champions League and big games in Holland. He's always been electrifying.
"I think it would be a good choice. The fact Ajax have but that tag on him, it doesn't mean they expect to get that.
"They might accept £60m-£65m, surely affordable to Manchester United once Ronaldo's wages are out the way."
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