Picture Credit: Twitter
Manchester United has reportedly completed the signing of Brazil winger Antony after agreeing on a transfer fee with Ajax Amsterdam for the 22-year-old. Reports say that Red Devils have agreed to pay a fixed fee of 95 million euros (£80.6million) with a further five million euros (£4.2million) in potential add-ons.
Antony is expected to be in Manchester on Monday for his medical. But if Man United want him to play against Leicester City, he must be registered by midday on Wednesday to be available for on Thursday. But it is unlikely as Antony still has to sort out a visa and work permit.
Before the completion of the deal, Antony had opened up about his frustrations with Ajax as they were stalling this deal. He said, "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." Antony conveyed via Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on YouTube.
He further talked about how he wanted the club to sell him and not release him as it would be beneficial for all parties. He said, "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."
After completing the Antony deal, United are looking at striker options as there are reports around Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being a prime target. Similarly, Chelsea has also been in talks over signing Aubameyang. Whereas United have also been interested in PSV Eindhoven's Cody Gakpo. But Signing both Antony and Gakpo has been deemed "unlikely but not impossible".
