New Ajax head coach, Alfred Schreuder, has spoken on Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and transfer target Antony in an interview with ESPN.
With reports on negotiations between Ajax and Manchester United over Brazilian winger Antony ramping up, fans of both Ajax and United were eager to hear what the new Ajax boss had to say on the winger.
Fans were also interested to hear what the coach had to say about his predecessor, with some accusations being levelled against Ten Hag that he is attempting to poach his former team’s best players in order to hit the ground running at Old Trafford.
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United have been heavily linked with Antony, as well as centre backs, Lisandro Martinez and Jurrien Timber.
In an interview with ESPN, Schreuder said, "We want to keep Antony at Ajax. He has a contract until 2025. I want to work with him, and the club knows this."
This will come as no surprise to anybody involved, with Ajax already stating their desire to keep the winger at the club, despite the interest coming out of Old Trafford.
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Reports suggest that Ajax are demanding a fee in the region of £65m for the 22 year-old, with the size of the fee being used to ward off interest.
Antony himself however, is said to be set on a move to Old Trafford, with both him and Erik ten Hag desiring a reunion in the Premier League.
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On the subject of ten Hag, Schreuder joked that, “Erik ten Hag knows that he shouldn’t be buying players from Ajax, kidding…"
This comment comes amongst implications that the majority of ten Hag’s preferred signings come from his former club, with this likely to damage their hopes and expectation for the following season.
While Schreuder made it clear he wasn’t serious in his comment on ten Hag, it would come as no surprise if the new Ajax manager was somewhat concerned at the prospect of losing some of his best players ahead of the new season.
Had it not been for the intervention of Louis Van Gaal, it is likely that Jurrien Timber would already be at Old Trafford, with his colleague Lisandro Martinez now being the alternative target, following the breakdown of the deal between Timber and United.
These quotes from Schreuder generally paint a picture of reluctance to sell from the Dutchman, with his club seemingly trying their hardest to match his desires to retain his best players.
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Star striker, Sebastian Haller, is currently undergoing medical tests with Borussia Dortmund ahead of a move away from Ajax, with this likely to make Manchester United’s pursuit of Antony increasingly difficult.
Should a move for Antony totally collapse, United will have to consider alternatives, with Neymar Jr becoming a potential target in a move which feels 10 years too late. Should United pull a move off for the 30 year-old, it would undoubtedly be a statement of intent from the club, with Naymar still commanding a reputation as one of the best in world football.
Only time will tell how the transfer window will shape up for Manchester United, with developments in deals for Antony and Lisandro Martinez constantly being reported.
Manchester United’s pre-season tour is set to start under Erik ten Hag on 26 June for those players who did not take part in the most recent international break.
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The club will fly to Bangkok to face Liverpool on 12 July in the first of six pre-season friendlies, before heading over to Australia to play Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
The side will then head back to Northern Europe to face Atletico Madrid in Oslo on 30 July, before a fixture at Old Trafford the next day against Rayo Vallecano sees the club wrap their pre-season tour up before kicking their Premier League season off against Brighton & Hove Albion on the 2022/23 opening weekend.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag
