Transfer Centre

Antony refuses to confirm Ajax stay amid Manchester United interest

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 20 August 2022

Antony refuses to confirm Ajax stay amid Man United interest

Ajax attacker Antony refuses to commit his future to the Dutch champions amid ongoing speculation linking him with Manchester United.

Ajax attacker Antony has conceded that he cannot guarantee he will still be with the Dutch champions beyond the end of the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old has started the 2022-23 campaign in impressive fashion for Ajax, scoring twice and providing two assists in three appearances in all competitions.

The Brazil international scored 12 goals and registered 10 assists in 33 outings in all competitions at club level during the 2021-22 campaign, meanwhile, as he starred under new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.

The 20-time English champions have been linked with the attacker throughout the summer, and it is believed that they recently had an €80m (£67.9m) bid turned down by the Eredivisie outfit.

Man United are allegedly considering making an improved offer for the South American, as they bid to secure his signature before the end of the summer window.

Ajax attacker Antony pictured in February 2022 © Reuters

When asked about his future in Amsterdam, Antony refused to guarantee that he would remain with Ajax past the transfer deadline.

"No, to be perfectly honest (offer Ajax fans assurances that he would remain at the club), I can't. What I can say is that I want to come to the right decision with my family, business partners and Ajax, which is good for everyone," Antony told De Telegraaf.

"In the end, God determines my future. I am very happy at Ajax, I have a contract until the summer of 2025 and I will give everything for this beautiful club for every second.

"I wear the shirt with pride and from day one I feel at home. If we all decide that I will stay here, then I know that this is the best thing for me and the club.

"It's not like I have to leave. Now I am focusing on playing football and have put all other matters in the hands of my agents and my brother. They will advise me on what is best."

Ajax winger Antony pictured in September 2021 © Reuters

"Manchester United are not giving up on Antony. Ajax turned down new bid but Man Utd plan to try again - they feel Antony really wants the move," Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano posted on his Twitter account.

Ajax are due to take on Sparta Rotterdam in the league on Sunday afternoon, and it is understood that a decision on Antony's involvement in that match has not yet been made.

The Dutch club's boss Alfred Schreuder recently said that the club were not planning to sell any other important players, having allowed the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Sebastien Haller, Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch to leave in the current window.

"We have sold a certain amount of players and I am expecting nobody else to leave. We talk on a daily basis. It would be very bad for us if we would lose another starting player," Schreuder told reporters.

Man United confirmed on Friday that they had reached an agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of Casemiro, who is set to undergo a medical with the Red Devils this weekend.