The professional football club, Manchester United, have reached an agreement to sign Brazil forward player, Antony Matheus Dos Santos, from AFC Ajax, the English Premier League club announced on Tuesday, 30th August, 2022.
Ajax said they have agreed on a transfer fee of 95 million euros (£81 million), including add-ons, the fee could rise to 100 million euros (£86 million).
According to the Dutch national news agency, Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau, ANP, if the deal goes through, it will be a record for an Eredivisie player, surpassing the 86 million euros maximum value of Frenkie de Jong’s move from Ajax to Barcelona three years ago.
Antony made known his intention to leave the club via Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on YouTube over the weekend.
“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.
“During the window months, meetings concluded including a proposal from Ajax for a contract renewal. I made it clear once again I want to leave the club.
“Today in a meeting with the board I expressed my interest in leaving the club, this time with a considerable offer on the table. Others have already arrived (but) Ajax always refuses with the argument it only has five days to replace (me).
“I’m not asking (for Ajax) to release me, I am asking Ajax to sell me for the highest bid received for a player who plays in the Eredivisie, he said.
By moving to Old Trafford, the 22-year-old will be reunited with former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, who has already brought defender Lisandro Martinez to United from the Dutch giants.
“I was very happy in Amsterdam. I won titles at Ajax, made friends and built part of my career, but now I reinforce that I am ready and full of motivation to follow my story and my dreams…Ajax will always be in my heart”, Antony added.
Antony Matheus dos Santos, simply known as Antony, is a Brazilian professional football player who plays as a winger for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Brazil national team. Antony is a graduate of São Paulo’s youth system and scored six goals in 52 appearances for the club.
Story: Asma’u Sani