Former Ajax star Antony has finally joined Manchester United from Ajax on a five-year contract. The youngster switched to the Old Trafford club after Ajax finally accepted a €100m offer from Manchester United.
After a series of rejected bids and offers, Manchester United has finally signed Antony from Ajax. The 22-year-old has been a top and prime target for new Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag.
Initially, Ajax insisted that they are not ready to sell the Brazilian youngster. They were intent on keeping the player against multiple improved offers from Manchester United.
On the other hand, Antony insisted on leaving Ajax for the Old Trafford-based club after his former manager indicated strong interest in signing him from the Dutch Champions.
Ajax met Manchester United’s interest with indifference because they were keen on keeping the Brazil international who had a contract with Ajax until 2027.
Before now, the Dutch Champions had sold one of their forwards, Sebastian Haller, to Borussia Dortmund. They were also losing out on a potential loan deal with Chelsea for Hakim Ziyech. Hence, keeping Antony was a top priority for the club.
But things nearly fell out of control; Manchester United was submitting improved bids, and the highly-rated forward was equally pushing for a move. He had even refused to train with the team in the backdrop of United’s interest. He was left out of Alfred Schreuder’s squad against Sparta Rotterdam and was not willing to feature against Utrecht.
Antony exploded with anger after Manchester United submitted a third €90m bid which Ajax rejected. In an interview with Fabrizio Romano, he bluntly reiterated his resolve to ‘leave the club’ and ‘try a new challenge while praying the Ajax fans understand.’
He maintained that he had made his intentions to ‘leave the club known to Ajax’ and that he is ‘not asking Ajax to release him, but to sell him since they have gotten a good offer as included in the contract signed.’
His representatives were already scouting for a residence in Manchester while the imbroglio in his transfer, orchestrated by Ajax, deepened, with the transfer window closing soon.
The Red Devils finally made a €100m final offer which sealed the deal for the highly-rated winger. Manchester United confirmed an agreement with Ajax for Antony on Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
In the same vein, Fabrizio Romano had confirmed that the Brazil international is in Carrington for his medicals.
The Brazil international joined Manchester United on five years contract for €96m plus €4m add-ons. He has an option of a year extension. He is Erik Ten Hag’s fifth signing this season after Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord, Christian Eriksen from Brentford, Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, and Casemiro from Real Madrid.
The youngster is the second Ajax player to join Erik Ten Hag in Manchester United. He is Ten Hag’s first forward.
Leaving a top team like Ajax with Champions League football to join Manchester United in Europa League showed how much the winger desires to join his former boss at Old Trafford.
Even without Champions League football, Manchester United is a dream club for youngsters like Antony. Antony wanted this move to reunite with his manager and shot his career to a new height with the boundless opportunities, publicity, and a more extensive fan base at Old Trafford.
