Man Utd dealt Antony blow as Ziyech to Ajax collapses
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 25 Aug 2022 12:50 BST
- 3 min read
Breaking
Manchester United’s hopes of landing Antony from Ajax have been dealt a significant blow by the news that the Amsterdam club will not be able to afford Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea.
Ziyech had been earmarked as a replacement for the Brazil winger, having turned out previously for Ajax between 2016 and 2020.
While there had been optimism that a deal could be completed that would see Antony going to Old Trafford and then Ziyech moving to Amsterdam to take his place, De Telegraaf reports that such plans have been torpedoed by Chelsea’s transfer stance.
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According to the Dutch source, which has been on the money with Ajax reports all summer, Chelsea only want to sell for around the fee that Ziyech was purchased for. Given the Blues paid €40 million for the player, Ajax are not prepared to come close to that fee.
Instead, they had previously hoped that a loan deal might be possible for a player who is valued at €23m by FootballTransfers. Indeed, it is stated that they were only willing to pay around half his present Chelsea salary, which is estimated to be €10m per year.
As well as the financial aspect of the move, Ajax are concerned that such a deal would block the development of young talents such as Sontje Hansen and Amourricho van Axel Dongen.
What this means for Antony
Ajax's stance has certainly put the potential transfer of Antony to Manchester United under the microscope. It is suggested that they could opt to keep him at the club, but there is a fear that will lead to frustration from the attacker, who is now pushing to leave for Old Trafford and was left out of the side that beat Sparta Rotterdam 1-0 away from home last weekend.
Meanwhile, the Eredivisie champions have not entirely given up on signing Ziyech. They are still hopeful that a permanent deal may be possible, although at the €40m mark set by Chelsea, it is unfeasible.
For his part, Ziyech wants to leave, though the only other option presently on the table is Tottenham, and it is doubtful whether Chelsea would wish to sell him to a direct rival.
