Manchester United have expressed an increasing amount of interest in Ajax winger Antony Santos, as the club’s former coach Erik ten Hag has made the signing of the Brazilian a top priority for the Premier League side he’s now managing. While the deal seems to be close to completion, Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder could play spoilsport. 

Speaking to ESPN, he said “We have already lost 5 or 6 big players, and I don’t want Antony to leave the club. I told the board that I want him to stay here”, and added, “I am assuming that the club will not sell Antony as we’re in good financial position”. 

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Ajax player Lisandro Martinez recently joined Manchester United. The Reds had made an opening bid for Antony in the mid-fifty million euro range, but Ajax asked for more. Currently, there is a deal worth eighty million on the table, and the PL side could notch it up to a hundred. Ajax has turned down the current offer but Antony is now set on a move and has told the Dutch club to continue negotiations with United. 

He didn’t show up for training and is set to miss Ajax’s current fixture. However, Schreuder is hoping Antony will stay and has had a word with the player regarding his future. 

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“Yes, my feeling is positive on Antony deal. I understand Antony, but… here you play for Ajax”, he told ESPN, adding, “We are playing Champions League football. I don’t think Manchester United are playing Champions League football…”

United are not only not playing the Champions League this time, but have had a poor start to the Premier League season as well, losing their first two games to Brighton and Brentford respectively. However, Dutchman ten Hag is still trying to turn the tides around with new additions like Casemiro to help bolster the club’s flailing midfield and defensive lines.