AFC Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder confirmed that Manchester United target Antony would remain absent from the first-team squad to take on FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie – a match which they won 2-0 – given the player’s attempts to join the Red Devils lately.
The player publicly revealed his desire to leave his current club in an interview with Fabrizio Romano after news reports that Ajax were ready to play hardball with the Premier League giants over a transfer fee.
“The Antony situation hasn’t changed compared to last week. We discuss it internally every day, also with the player.
“He reports himself to the club and we speak about it. But I want to focus on the players we have here, for now, Antony is not important,”
Schreuder confirmed to ESPN.
Antony’s public plea in the face of Manchester United’s interest seems to have worked, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein reporting on Sunday that the two clubs were nearing an agreement for the transfer of the 22-year-old.
According to his report, the Red Devils had agreed to pay a fee that could reach the 100 million euro mark if all the optional add-ons are achieved. Meanwhile, Ajax will receive 90 million in guaranteed payment as part of the structure of the proposed deal.
The Brazilian will make Ajax a significant profit. He signed for the Dutch giants in the summer of 2020 for a fee lower than the 20 million pound mark. The player immediately won a starting spot under the then Ajax manager Erik ten Hag – now at Manchester United and believed to be the driving force behind the rumoured transfer – and made 79 appearances over two seasons, scoring 23 goals.
Antony will become United’s fifth summer signing if all due processes are completed without any difficulties. The Red Devils have already signed Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, and Casemiro during the current transfer window.
