The rampant spending spree that has taken hold of Manchester United is set to hit overdrive before the conclusion of the summer transfer window as the English giants are primed to submit a massive €90m-plus bid for star AFC Ajax winger Antony.
According to reports from De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij, United is set to make the 22-year-old Brazilian international one of the most expensive players in football history after Verweij suggested that the total figure for the São Paulo native could hit €95m, excluding bonuses.
🚨 Ajax expect a €90M bid to be officially submitted tomorrow by Manchester United for Antony.
However, the final transfer fee could end up being €95M, excluding bonuses.
(Source: @MikeVerweij) https://t.co/Xb6C6Hgnco
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 24, 2022
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has corroborated those reports while stating that United is confident of reaching an agreement with Ajax before the window closes on 1 September, but suggests an even higher figure;
“The two clubs have discussed a fee higher than the €80million initially offered, some sources placing the figure at €94m, but Ajax have reportedly set an asking price of €100m for the player.”
With both United and Antony remaining adamant in their attempts to secure his arrival at Old Trafford, it is entirely plausible to suggest that the Red Devils could well pay the full €100m upfront for the star winger, who has scored 17 goals and added 12 assists in 55 Eredivisie appearances across the last two seasons in the Dutch top flight.
New club boss Erik ten Hag has already worked closely with Antony during his two seasons in Amsterdam before he left Ajax this summer to take up his new post at Old Trafford, and that notion could play into the club’s hands when it comes to the player hopefully hitting the ground running in the wake of a big money move that is sure to come with mountainous expectations from the United faithful.
According to additional reports from the Netherlands, part of Antony’s management team has already been house-hunting in the Manchester area, offering another possible breadcrumb pointing to a completed move in the very near future.
Should terms be finalized, Antony would become United’s fifth signing of the summer and take the club’s spending to a staggering £202m after former Ajax clubmate Lisandro Martínez was joined by Feyenoord Rotterdam’s Tyrell Malacia, Real Madrid star Casemiro, and Danish icon Christian Eriksen who have all already arrived at Old Trafford.
