Deal Done and Dusted – Antony to Man Utd: Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder responds to claims £85m deal is ‘done’

Alfred Schreuder, the manager of Ajax, has issued an update on Antony, amid reports that Manchester United is close to signing the 22-year-old for a fee of £85 million. On Sunday, it was reported that the player had ‘left,’ with the Dutch giants likely to collect a large amount. And it appears that the Brazil international will join the Premier League before the transfer deadline on Thursday.

 

Manchester United has signed four players this summer, including Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, and Casemiro.

 

And they’re hoping Antony will now follow suit, with reports claiming an £85 million agreement is already in the works.

 

With such a sum, the Brazilian international would become the Red Devils’ second most expensive signing in club history, trailing only Paul Pogba.

 

After his team’s 2-0 win over Utrecht, Schreuder was queried about the rumors.

 

Antony was not in the game since the 22-year-old is now on strike in order to get the transfer he desires.

 

When asked directly if a transaction had been completed, he responded via @TheEuropeanLad: “I would make it a €100M deal then.. but you have to be at Edwin van der Sar or Hamstra for this.”

 

While he held his cards close to his chest, he did appear to take a shot at Ajax by implying that he’d be upset if Antony was sold behind his back.

 

“”Everything nowadays is about money,” the 49-year-old added.

 

“This saddens me.

 

“But this is our world, it’s terribly sad, and I don’t approve of what’s happening to us.””

 

Ajax has already stated that they do not want to lose Antony.

 

But, with the forward refusing to train or play for the Eredivisie giants, it is increasingly probable that they will split ways with their No. 11.

 

Antony would be the fourth player to leave Ajax for Manchester United in the last decade, which may explain his club’s reluctance to cash in.

 

Daley Blind and Donny van de Beek left Amsterdam for Manchester in the summers of 2014 and 2020, respectively.

 

And, earlier this summer, the Red Devils were able to sign Lisandro Martinez, who turned down Arsenal in order to join United.

 

In a post-match press conference following his team’s victory, Schreuder was again asked about Antony.

 

When asked if he stood by his words that the Samba star would not be going, he replied, “I stand by those words.”

 

When asked if he’d been kept up to date, he added: “I’d like to speak about the game, not Antony.

 

“I’ve said far too much about this.”

 

In an interview with Fabrizio Romano earlier this week, Antony expressed his desire to join United.

 

“Since February of this year, my agents have been in Amsterdam informing Ajax of my wish to leave the club to pursue new opportunities, and that some interested clubs would approach with a wonderful offer,” he explained.

 

“Meetings continued during the window months, and I also received a contract renewal proposal from Ajax,” I stated unequivocally that I intend to leave.

 

“I was really pleased in Amsterdam; I won trophies at Ajax, developed friends, and created a portion of my career there, but now I am ready and full of drive to pursue my tale and my aspirations.”

 

“People must listen to me and recognize that my motivation leads me to happiness.”

 

“I require this in order to continue performing at a high level.” Ajax will always have a special place in my heart.”