Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder has reacted to the future of Manchester United transfer target Antony by scolding the Red Devils harshly.
United’s coach Erik ten Hag is eager to collaborate with Antony after their last season’s success together at Ajax.
However, after his team’s victory over Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday, Ajax boss Schreuder dealt a blow to United’s transfer chances with a scathing interview.
Schreuder is extremely interested in keeping the former Sao Paulo player and seems ready to undermine United’s chances of signing the enterprising forward.
In response to United’s interest, Antony reportedly declined to train last week.
Last season, the winger scored 22 goals in all competitions while playing for Ten Hag’s Ajax, and has praised the impact the current Manchester United manager made on his career.
Ajax’s new manager Alfred Schreuder had insisted he wants to keep winger Antony at the club, even aiming a dig at Manchester United in the process.
United have seen a £68m bid for Antony knocked back, with Ajax holding out for closer to £78m, and sources close to the Eredivisie side have confirmed that another bid from United is expected to arrive imminently.
Amid the uncertainty, Schreuder reiterated his desire to keep the forward this summer and questioned why the winger would want to leave to join a club that will not be playing Champions League football this season.
Schreuder said: “I want Antony to stay. I assume the club won’t try to sell him. These days, insane amounts of money are being spent.
“But if we sell another player, I would not consider that acceptable. We are in a strong financial position. I recognize Antony. But you represent Ajax.
“Football in the Champions League is being played. Man United isn’t playing Champions League football, in my opinion.”
“I just want Antony to stay, so I assume he will not be sold,” Schreuder told ESPN. “The money in question is absurd, but we’ve already sold five or six core players. I don’t think it’s right if we sell another player.
“My feeling about that is good, but I also understand the boy. It is difficult. But we play Champions League and I don’t think Manchester United does that. We’ll see what happens.”
Asked whether Ajax could afford to reject such an astronomical offer, the boss insisted: “I cannot judge that, the club has to judge that. But I think we’re very strong financially.”
Antony remains United’s top attacking target for the remainder of the window and club officials are also considering adding more than one new forward, with PSV’s Cody Gakpo and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic both on the radar.
Antony’s Full Name;
Antony Matheus dos Santos.
Antony Manchester United;
Manchester United transfer target Antony tuned in as the Red Devils secured a stunning victory over arch-rivals Liverpool on Monday night.
The Brazilian star winger was spotted at Old Trafford yesterday as his preferred club thrashed Liverpool in a 2-1 victory in favour of the Reds Devils.
Antony Matheus;
Antony Matheus dos Santos, simply known as Antony, is a Brazilian professional football player who plays as a winger for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Brazil national team.
Antony is a graduate of São Paulo’s youth system and scored six goals in 52 appearances for the club.
Antony transfer news;
Manchester United is reported to have reached an agreement on personal terms with Antony.
In what could finally be the biggest breakthrough yet with regards to signing Ajax winger Antony this summer, United are said to have ‘reached an agreement with the Brazilian ahead of a potential move to Old Trafford.
That’s according to Journal O Globo, who have claimed that everything ‘is fine between both United and the Brazil international, while the Red Devils are also prepared to now pay a huge £80m to land one of their top targets this month.
He has been linked with a move to Old Trafford ever since former Ajax manager Ten Hag took over at the club at the end of last season, following 12 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, while he already has two goals and two assists in three games this campaign.
Antony’s position;
The 22-year-old Brazilian star play as a right winger for his current club, Ajax.
