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Manchester United-bound Antony worth 100m? Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder weighs in
- Manchester United are close to signing Ajax winger Antony
- The 22-year-old's fee is being touted at $95 million/€100 million
- United will reportedly pay Ajax a further 5 million euros in potential add-ons for Antony
Manchester United are close to signing Ajax winger Antony. The clubs said on Tuesday they have reached agreement on the Brazilian’s transfer, subject to a medical examination, his contract being finalized, and international clearance.
The 22-year-old’s fee is being touted at $95 million/€100 million. Antony, a skilful and quick left-footed attacker, has spent just two full seasons at Ajax but appears to have done enough to convince United to make him its second most expensive signing after Paul Pogba in 2016.
Also read: Manchester United sign Martin Dubravka: Did Erik ten Hag need a new goalkeeper?
However, his to-be former manager, Ajax’s Alfred Schreuder, believes the Brazilian is not worth it. Antony will be the fourth costliest player to join an English team, after Jack Grealish to Manchester City, Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea, and Pogba.
Schreuder and Ajax had maintained a clear stance of not letting Antony move to the Old Trafford throughout the transfer window. However, the manager said that money has dictated terms in the deal.
Also Read: Paul Pogba allegations: From witchcraft to cursing Mbappe
“Today, the amounts are crazy. Barcelona paid €115m for [Ousmane] Dembele, Manchester United also paid more than €100m for [Jadon] Sancho. Then you can pay that for him [Antony] too. Are the players worth it? No. But it will be paid,” he told ZiggoSports.
Schreuder, earlier this week, slammed Antony for his “weird” and “unprofessional” attitude after he publically declared his desire to secure a transfer. The 22-year-old was left out of Ajax’s last two matchday squads.
Also read: All Ajax sales to Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson left
“I think that’s weird [Antony’s behaviour]. It’s a shame it happened. Personally, I just think it’s bad. I’m angry about it too. That frustrates you as a trainer. Then I think: you’re just a f*cking player,” the manager said.
When asked if Antony could be fined for his behaviour in his final days at the club, Schreuder said: “Absolutely. I don’t think it’s good that it’s possible within our club. If you’re Ajax, it’s just bad that this happens. I’ve talked about it with him. If you’re disappointed for a day or two, I understand, but at some point you’re a professional.”
First, Erik ten Hag left Ajax to join as manager and he has brought Martinez — the Argentina center back arrived for nearly $58 million — and now Antony with him from the Amsterdam club. Tyrell Malacia was signed from Feyenoord and Christian Eriksen, a former Ajax player, has joined on a free transfer.
“Then I said: ‘I will continue with the guys who are there.’ At a certain point you get angry about it, like…what are we doing? Looking at the total picture, that frustrates you as a trainer, but also how you stand in the world. Then I think, ‘You’re just a player, you just have to do your thing’,” Schreuder added.
United will reportedly pay Ajax a further 5 million euros ($5 million) in potential add-ons for Antony, who complained last week in an interview with Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano that the Dutch champions were not allowing him to leave.
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