Manchester United's potential £76million bid for Ajax forward Antony this summer is 'staggering', says top journalist James Ducker.

The Lowdown: Antony off to United?

The Red Devils are still hopeful of completing some key transfer business between now and the end of the window, following the arrival of Casemiro from Real Madrid.

A new attacker is clearly on the agenda, especially if Cristiano Ronaldo ends up completing a move away from Old Trafford.

Antony is the player being most strongly linked with a summer switch to United and a £76million bid may now be tabled to prise him away from Ajax.

The Latest: Ducker makes 'staggering' claim

Taking to Twitter, The Telegraph's Northern Football Correspondent almost bemoaned the transfer fee, comparing it to the amount Barcelona paid for Raphinha this summer:

"Whether #MUFC opt to raise bid for Antony or walk away or whatever, that €90m (£76m) figure is staggering when you think Raphinha - direct rival for Brazil/same number of caps but PL proven - moved to Barca this summer for a projected £55m."

The Verdict: Paying over the odds?

While Antony is clearly a talented young player who could make a big difference at United, £76million is an eye-watering amount for someone who is yet to prove themselves in any of Europe's top five leagues.

For that sort of money, the Red Devils should really be acquiring the services of a world-class talent who has shone for years at the top, so bidding that amount would be an undoubted risk.

There is a chance that Antony could end up being worth every penny, of course, but in an ideal world, United would be spending comfortably less on the wide man, making it less of a gamble.