Football News : Antony on his way to Manchester United for £85m deal

Antony, a Brazilian forward, is reportedly close to joining Manchester United after the two sides reached an agreement on a €100 million (£85 million) transfer. Since the 22-year-old forward has made it obvious that he wants to leave the Eredivisie champions this summer, it is thought that he went on strike at Ajax in an effort to force a transfer to Old Trafford.

"Since February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club to face new challenge and that some interested clubs would arrive and with them, certainly a great offer,"

Antony told Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano in an exclusive interview on Friday.

"In June of this year, I interrupted my vacation and came personally to inform the managers of Ajax, including new coach, about my wish to leave and that they should consider this possibility, because it was a project for two seasons."

"During the window months, meetings continued and I also received a proposal from Ajax for contract renewal. I made it clear once again: I want to leave."

"Today, in a meeting with the club, I expressed my old interest in leaving, only this time with a considerable offer on the table. Others had already arrived! Ajax refused with argument that they only have five days to replace me."

Ajax is said to have rejected Man United's most recent bid, which was in the neighbourhood of £76 million, but the two clubs have apparently since come to an agreement after United decided to break their bank for the Ajax forward.

Romano claims that Man United will spend €100 million (£85 million) to get the South American, the one who is anticipated to agree to a five-year deal with an additional 12-month option.

According to the journalist, Antony will be in Manchester the next week to finalise the agreement, and he might make his club debut against either Leicester City on Thursday or Arsenal the following weekend.

In his first 3 appearances of the 2022-23 season, Antony has already scored twice and provided two assists, including one goal and two assists in two league games. The forward, who joined Ajax from Sao Paulo in July 2020, will depart with a resume that includes 82 matches, 24 goals, and 22 assists.
Following a board meeting on Sunday, it was apparently agreed that Ajax could not afford to turn down what will be an Eredivisie record transfer fee.

After Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, and Tyrell Malacia, Antony will be the fifth player that Manchester United has added during the summer transfer season.

Although a new goalkeeper is anticipated to come before the deadline, the 20-time English champions are still thought to be eager to strengthen their squad.

The Red Devils are still in the mix for Barcelona's Memphis Depay, and a transfer for the Netherlands international could happen if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the team.

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