Man Utd hit with Antony transfer blow after Ajax boss blocks exit

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 22 Jul 2022 20:55 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Antony after Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder claimed the club would not be selling any more players this summer.

Antony’s representatives have been in constant communication with United throughout the window and Ajax are believed to have placed a €68 million price tag on the Brazilian.

However, having already raised more than €100m through the sales of stars such as Ryan Gravenberch and Sebastien Haller, Schreuder believes any more departures would be detrimental to the club.

When asked whether he was afraid Antony would leave, Schreuder said: “No, no. Of course, we have sold a lot of players now, and that has not happened in recent years."

"And of course we have bought players again, but we have sold so many players that I assume that no one will leave. If we were to sell another starter, it wouldn't be good for us.”

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Are United set to miss out on Antony?

United boss Erik ten Hag was keen on a reunion with his former winger having already raided Ajax once this summer by signing defender Lisandro Martinez for an initial €54m.

But United have been reluctant to meet Ajax’s asking price for Antony, although some reports have suggested the 22-year-old’s agent has travelled to Manchester in the hopes of thrashing out a deal.

While Schreuder is determined not to lose another key player, his comments could be seen as a warning to United that Ajax will not sell their prized possession on the cheap.

Antony himself is keen on the move to Old Trafford and, with United desperate to sign a forward before the start of the new season, a deal is expected to eventually be struck.

The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo from United’s pre-season tour has highlighted the Red Devils’ need for reinforcements up top, something which ten Hag has stressed in recent times.

“You need more options in offence. I think it’s vital if you want to get success because the season is really long. But we also have still time to fill that in,” Ten Hag said.

“We have a good team, but we need a good squad to get the right results at the end of the season.”