Man Utd sent clear message over Antony as Ajax chief speaks out on transfer plans
ERIK TEN HAG is eager to rejoin with Antony at Old Trafford, and his intentions have been boosted.
After discussing the upcoming arrival of Antony’s replacement, Ajax delivered the clearest signal yet that they are preparing for life without him. Manchester United is interested in signing the Brazilian winger as Erik ten Hag seeks a reunion with his former protege and could leave this summer.
The Eredivisie winners are ready to conclude a £17 million deal for FC Porto’s highly rated midfielder Francisco Conceicao, giving Antony the green light to discuss his prospective move to Old Trafford.
Gerry Hamstra, Ajax’s technical manager, has disclosed that the club has rushed to recruit Conceicao as an instant replacement for Antony after publicly outlining their transfer strategy of acquiring young players to sell for larger sums.
“On the one hand, you want to have players who can be deployed right away if you lose Champions League-caliber players.” “Het Parool was informed by Hamstra. “However, at Ajax, we continue to consider the long term. Several factors influence how quickly this occurs.
“I believe it goes a little faster with a Portuguese or European than with a South American boy.” Conceicao is yet another example of incorporating the successor, in this case, Antony, into your decision.
“We want to keep this gang together now.” I’m guessing hardly one leaf in this core anymore. Of course, you can never say never, as I’ve discovered.”
That looks to be what Ajax wants to do with Antony, who is set to leave the Johan Cruijff Arena this summer. Ten Hag is eager to reunite with the player he signed from Sao Paulo in 2020, despite the fact that the Dutch giants will only sell if their asking price is met.
After signing Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, and Lisandro Martinez this summer, Red Devils boss Richard Arnold has made it obvious that he is willing to provide the Dutchman the finances to sign his targets. And it appears that a fee of roughly £60 million may be enough to persuade Ajax to cash in.
Last season, the Brazilian international was instrumental in their title victory, scoring 12 goals and assisting on ten others in 32 games. However, after two years in Amsterdam, the 22-year-old is eager to take on a new challenge with a larger team.
Ajax has previously sold Ryan Gravenberch and Sebastien Haller to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, respectively, and the club is not short of cash. However, selling Antony might result in the club receiving the highest amount since selling Frankie de Jong to Barcelona for £65 million in 2019.
