Antony: Manchester United close to sealing transfer for Ajax and Brazil international forward - reports

Manchester United are close to agreeing a €100m deal to sign Ajax forward Antony, according to reports from The Athletic and Sky Sports. While personal terms would be no issue, Ajax have negotiated hard over the sale of their Brazil winger. Ad The Dutch giants were insistent that their valuation be met, and reports from the British press suggest that they have been successful.

Premier LeagueTen Hag says Man Utd performed 'how I want to play' in win over SouthamptonA DAY AGO Should the deal go through as reported, it will take Manchester United's summer transfer spending to around £200m. Antony would become Manchester United's second most expensive ever signing, only eclipsed by the €105m paid for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba in 2016. The deal will also make this United's biggest ever transfer window, eclipsing the €234m spent in 2019.

That total includes both the summer arrivals of Harry Maguire from Leicester, Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Palace and Swansea winger Dan James and the January 2020 deal to sign Bruno Fernandes. With the signings of Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, and Feyenoord's Tyrell Malacia already complete, United now add a versatile attacker with 20 goals and 22 assists in the last two seasons. Manchester United's pursuit of Antony began early in the summer, but it required a protracted chase for them to land the Brazil winger.

He had been training alone for several weeks, but felt compelled to give an interview to journalist Fabrizio Romano. Antony said: «I'm not asking Ajax to release me, I'm asking Ajax to sell me with the highest bid ever for Eredivisie player. I've been insisting on this theme since February so that the club could rebuild the team with peace of mind».