Antony has become Manchester United’s sixth acquisition of the summer transfer season after Ajax agreed to a cost of £85.5 million with add-ons.
Manchester United has signed a financial deal with Ajax for Brazilian attacker Antony. The Brazilian has had a physical ahead of his £81.3m move, which may rise to £85.5m with contract-related add-ons. After Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, and Casemiro, the 22-year-old becomes United’s fifth acquisition under Erik ten Hag.
“Manchester United has reached agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Antony, subject to medical, player terms being finalized, and international clearance,” United said in a statement.
Antony, who spent two years in Amsterdam under Erik ten Hag, had been anxious to rejoin with the Dutchman at Old Trafford. After losing so many other players this summer, notably Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United, Ajax were hesitant to lose their star player, but eventually agreed to sell for a large price.
The 22-year-old Brazilian went on strike to force the sale, making him United’s second most expensive player ever, trailing only Paul Pogba, who cost £89 million from Juventus in 2016. However, Antony has become the most successful Dutch club sale. of all time, surpassing Frenkie de Jong’s move from Ajax to Barcelona in 2019.
According to sources, Antony was a “priority” signing for Erik ten Hag, a former player who he had been after all summer. He is seen by the club as a “important” addition to United’s forward line, with his technical skills and winning mindset being characteristic of the players Ten Hag has brought in this summer.
Following the departures of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, and Edinson Cavani, United have looked to rebuild the squad, with Antony the most recent addition. The Brazilian, who arrived in England on Monday for a physical, is United’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window, which closes at 11 pm on Thursday.
He comes after appearing in 82 games for Ajax and recording 24 goals and 22 assists.