Antony trying to force Man Utd transfer
FT Desk
- 28 Aug 2022 08:27 BST
- 3 min read
Brazil winger Antony is refusing to play for Ajax as he attempts to force through a transfer to Manchester United.
Antony has been one of Erik ten Hag's top transfer targets since he succeeded Ralf Rangnick as coach this summer, the pair having won the Dutch domestic double together at Ajax in 2021.
United have this far been frustrated in their efforts to acquire the 22-year-old, though, with the Dutch giants holding out for €100 million and even club CEO and former Red Devils goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar stepping into negotiations.
Antony is the most valuable player in the Eredivisie
But he's not worth €100m 🤑 pic.twitter.com/OaRzx9aTF7— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 21, 2022
Antony has made himself unavailable for Ajax's trip to Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie this Sunday, citing his current employers' stubbornness as the primary problem in negotiations.
"Since February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club to face new challenge and that some interested clubs would arrive and with them, certainly a great offer," he said ahead of the game.
Antony: 'I want to leave'
"During the window months, meetings continued, and I also received a proposal from Ajax for contract renewal. I made it clear once again: I want to leave.
"I was very happy in Amsterdam, I won titles at Ajax, made friends and built part of my career, but now I reinforce that I am ready and full of motivation to follow my story and my dreams. People need to listen to me and understand that my motivation moves me towards happiness. I need this to continue performing at a high level. Ajax will always be in my heart."
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Unfortunately for Antony, it appears Ten Hag's successor as Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder has no intention of losing a player who has racked up 24 goals and 22 assists in 82 games since his €24m arrival from Sao Paulo in February 2020.
"I can't see why he wants to go to Manchester United," he said. "We're playing in the Champions League and they're not. Yes, they're a big club, but so are we in my opinion. For me it's clear. I've lost so many players; this boy is staying!"
