Transfer News

HE WROTE a book, became a dad and made his debut for Brazil’s Under-23s — all at the grand old age of 19.So Manchester United should not be too worried about whether winger Antony — their new arrival from Ajax — is mature enough to handle being the third most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Ajax forward AntonyCredit: AFP
Brazil international Antony came through the ranks at Sau Paulo
Yet £84million is still a hell of a lot for a player who has made a massive name for himself but outside one of Europe’s so-called top five leagues. It is still a risk.
Set to feature in Dutch football’s biggest-ever transfer, Antony, 22, has nevertheless repeatedly taken everything in his stride, so maybe the latest chapter of his career will be no different.
After moving from South America to Ajax in 2020, with both Manchester City and Everton failing with bids, Antony took his game to a new level and now follows manager Erik ten Hag and defender Lisandro Martinez from Amsterdam to Manchester.
For Ajax, this is yet more brilliant business. Their sales have rocketed to £193m this summer — including Martinez’s £48.3m switch to United — while their expenditure has been £91m.
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Antony has one child with partner Rosilene XavierCredit: Instagram: @Antony00
The Red Devils have agreed an £84million to sign Antony from AjaxCredit: Instagram: @Antony00
Antony has proved to be a hit in Holland even though club legend Marco van Basten slammed his record move from Sao Paulo, which was worth £13m but could end up nearer £18m.
Van Basten, who has now probably changed his tune, said: “At Ajax, they have a very big mouth.

“Our youth education is so great. And then you are going to buy a youth player for a mega amount. Something is wrong then.
“If you hit yourself so terribly in the chest that the youth education is so great, then of course it is ridiculous that you are going to buy a youth player from Brazil for 25 million euros.”
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Born Antony Matheus Dos Santos, he joined the academy of local club Sao Paulo, aged ten.
He helped them win the J League World Challenge in Japan and was named best player, leading to his first professional contract, aged 18, in 2018.
Just 12 months later Antony became a father to son Lorenzo and made his debut for Brazil U-23s, playing alongside Bruno Guimaraes, now at Newcastle.
Antony then penned From Overcoming A Real Dream, a diary about the pressures of being a rising star in Brazil.
He detailed his issues in the Sao Paulo youth set-up and revealed he was close to being released three times.
Following his debut for Sao Paulo, Tottenham’s Lucas Moura congratulated the youngster and told him to “work hard” and keep playing matches.
Antony has since developed a close friendship with Moura.
He is just 5ft 9in tall, plays on the right side of midfield or attack and is renowned for cutting in on his left foot.
Antony has scored twice in nine caps for the Brazilian national teamCredit: Getty
Antony has won two Eredivisie titles with Ajax after arriving in 2020Credit: Getty
Despite interest from the Premier League, Antony moved to Ajax in 2020, earning about £12,000-a-week.
On arrival, his new Brazilian team-mates released a rap in his honour.
David Neres and Danilo recorded a track called Bem-vindo Antony  (Welcome Antony), written by Sarita Lorena, a Brazilian who had been living in Holland for many years.
Antony, a devout Catholic with a love of jet-skiing, became a revelation at the Johan Cruyff Arena, winning two Eredivisie titles under Ten Hag.
He continued his fine form at the start of the season, scoring once and adding two assists in the first two Eredivisie games before he was left out for the clash with Sparta Rotterdam.
Although still a newcomer on the international stage, Antony will hope to star at the World Cup in Qatar.
He made his senior Brazilian debut against Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier ten months ago and has now appeared nine times.
But over the past few months, Antony has fallen out with Ajax.
He said: “In February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club.
“In June, I interrupted my vacation and came personally to inform the managers of Ajax, including the new coach, about my wish to leave and that they should consider this possibility.”
And on Friday, he said: “In a meeting with the club, I expressed my old interest in leaving, only this time with a considerable offer on the table.
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“Ajax refused, with an argument that they only have five days to replace me.”
Like most things in his short career, though, Antony is getting exactly what he wants. More

MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on the £84million signing of Antony after the Brazilian winger arrived at Carrington for his medical.And he could be unleashed on Arsenal on Sunday.
Antony is set to link up with Manchester United from Ajax in an £84million dealCredit: Reuters
The Red Devils have finally reached an agreement with Ajax for the 22-year-old after seeing numerous bids for the Brazilian rejected.
And Erik ten Hag’s top target is now poised to link up with United after being snapped walking into the club’s HQ.
In a video circulating on social media, Antony was beaming as he walked through the main doors at United’s training ground complex.
It is understood that he will now undergo his medical on Monday night with an official announcement on the transfer expected imminently.
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Antony will be reunited with former Ajax boss Ten Hag, who also swapped Amsterdam for Old Trafford earlier this summer.
He is expected to be confirmed as a United player on Tuesday – but will still require a work permit before he is available to Ten Hag.
That paperwork is unlikely to be through in time for him to make his debut at rock bottom Leicester on Thursday night.
But he should have clearance in time to face United’s old rivals and early leaders Arsenal at home this weekend.
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In a bombshell interview with Fabrizio Romano last week, the nine-cap international begged Ajax to sell him.
He said: “Since February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club to face new a challenge and that some interested clubs would arrive and with them, certainly a great offer.
“In June of this year, I interrupted my vacation and came personally to inform the managers of Ajax, including new coach, about my wish to leave and that they should consider this possibility, because it was a project for two seasons.

“During the window months, meetings continued and I also received a proposal from Ajax for contract renewal.
“I made it clear once again: I want to leave.”
He added: “Today, in a meeting with the club, I expressed my old interest in leaving, only this time with a considerable offer on the table.
“Others had already arrived! Ajax refused with argument that they only have five days to replace me.
“I’m not asking Ajax to release me, I’m asking Ajax to sell me with the highest bid ever for an Eredivisie player.
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“I’ve been insisting on this theme since February so that the club could rebuild the team with peace of mind.”
Antony will be Ten Hag’s fifth signing this window after the arrivals of Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro. More

BRITAIN’S richest man Sir Jim Radcliffe has reportedly received no indication from the Glazer family that they intend to give up control of Manchester United.The 69-year-old announced earlier this month of his intentions to buy the Red Devils from the Americans.
Sir Jim Radcliffe is keen to buy Manchester United from the maligned Glazer familyCredit: AFP
It has been claimed that Radcliffe is yet to hear from United since declaring an interest in purchasing the club from the GlazersCredit: Getty
A spokesperson for Radcliffe, who is believed to be worth around £11bn, said: “If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer.
“If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership.
“This is not about the money that has been spent or not spend.
“Jim is looking at what can be done now and, knowing how important the club is to the city, it feels like the time is right for a reset.”
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It has been claimed that the Glazers, who have been in control of United since 2005, are open to selling a minority stake in the Old Trafford outfit, which has a reported total value of £5bn.
But, according to ESPN, Radcliffe is yet to hear anything from United since declaring an interest in buying the club.
The Glazers have given no indication of selling up, with Radcliffe keen for a full takeover.
INEOS CEO Radcliffe once delivered a scathing analysis of United in 2019 where he criticised the signing of Fred.
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He was asked by The Times about whether he would consider owning a Premier League team, and was then questioned about the state of his beloved United.
To which he said: “Ineos never wants to be the dumb money in town, never, never.
“They (The Glazers and Manchester United) are in quite a big pickle as a business.
“They haven’t got the manager selection right, haven’t bought well.
“They have been the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred. More