Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder has spoken about recent reports which claim winger Antony is close to moving to Manchester United in a €100m deal which, if completed, would be the highest ever fee paid for a player in the Eredivisie.
After targeting the Brazilian wide-attacker for the majority of the summer, reports on Sunday suggested that the Red Devils are finally closing in on their top target.
As reported by the likes of David Ornstein, the Premier League giants are prepared to part with €100m, including add-ons, and that is a sum that Ajax are willing to accept.
? Manchester United are close to an agreement with Ajax to sign Antony. Progress has been made in talks between #MUFC & #Ajax, so confidence increasing that deal gets done. 22yo Brazil winger a top target for manager Erik ten Hag all window @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/j7PBx7PVot
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 28, 2022
Speaking to ESPN, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano, after his team’s two-nil win against FC Utrecht on Sunday afternoon, Schreuder, when asked about the reports, said: “Everything is about money… I think this is sad. But this is our world, it’s very sad and I don’t approve that these things at all.”
MORE: Manchester United close to finally agreeing €100m transfer, move to “accelerate” in next 24-48hrs
It is hard not to feel sorry for the Ajax boss, who is not only close to bidding farewell to his best attacker, but he also lost his best defender earlier in the window. Last season’s ‘Player of the Year’, Lisandro Martinez, who also joined Manchester United, was sold for just over £50m.
Should a deal be finalised, Antony’s move to Old Trafford will see the Red Devils’ summer spending exceed £200m.
Ajax is a selling club and have been for decades but the know the have more than enough to beat rangers international once rfc till liquidation ther defence is so slow the sit so deep and they won’t have there own spl refs who are are always favour rangers new co just like old co
Ajax have held out for top price for their player, which is a great shame as Antony will now have that burden on his shoulders.
That said, any club now selling to Ajax will know they have €100, million in the bank and will likewise charge a premium.
For United, they should have tried to get the player earlier and just emphasises how poor they are in the transfer market.