Antony is ready to play hardball with Ajax.
The winger has made it clear he wants his current club to sell him to Manchester United, amid multiple reports on Friday that Ajax had rejected a €90 million offer from the Premier League side.
The Brazil international has said he’s been trying to leave the Dutch side since February and now, he’s frustrated to see his club’s sky-high valuation prevent him from moving 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 a new challenge and that some interested clubs would arrive and with them, certainly a great offer,” Antony told Fabrizio Romano in an interview.
“During the window months, meetings continued and I also received a proposal from Ajax for a 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.
“I’m not asking Ajax to release me, I’m asking Ajax to sell me with the highest bid ever for Eredivisie player. I’ve been insisting on this theme since February so that the club could rebuild the team with peace of mind.”
It’s not clear if United will return with another improved bid for Antony, with the club also linked to PSV’s Cody Gakpo, and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic.
Over the weekend, Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder said he believed Antony would stay at the club — taking a shot at United failing to qualify for this year’s Champions League in the process.
“I have a good feeling about it. Of course, it’s difficult. I understand the lad,” Schreuder said.
“But he plays for Ajax, so these clubs do come knocking on the door. We are playing in the Champions League and I don’t think Manchester United are.”
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