The 29-year-old Germany international is also simultaneously being lined up to become the club's third captain following Julian Brandt's departure.
Bild reported that interest from all three clubs remains active, with Atletico Madrid having tracked Anton since before his move to Borussia Dortmund from VfB Stuttgart in a deal worth €22.5 million in the summer of 2024.
Aston Villa submitted a formal enquiry in March, with a fee of €35–40 million cited as a potential threshold. Manchester United have placed him on their shortlist as a pragmatic option in a summer where their defensive recruitment is complicated by the long-term injuries to Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez.
Anton made 49 competitive appearances across all competitions this season as Dortmund finished second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich. He scored three goals and has established himself as one of the division's more consistent defenders — reliable rather than spectacular, but exactly the profile that appeals to clubs looking for defensive stability.
His elevation to third captain would be a direct consequence of Brandt's exit, with head coach Niko Kovač expected to formalise the decision once Dortmund's summer planning is finalised. Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck hold the first two captaincy roles.
Anton is contracted until June 2028. Dortmund have held initial talks about an extension but those conversations have not yet reached an advanced stage, leaving a window of uncertainty that the three pursuing clubs are watching closely.
When asked about the transfer noise, Anton was direct: "Whether there are rumours or not, I don't even notice them. To be honest, I'm not interested."
Whether that composure survives a formal bid from a club of Villa or United's stature remains the test ahead.