Anthony, a winger for Ajax, has been acquired by Manchester United for £85 million, making the Brazilian player the most expensive acquisition ever made from the Dutch Eredivisie league.
The 22-year-old will receive a guaranteed £80.75 million from United, plus a further £4.25 million in add-ons. He is scheduled to have a medical in Manchester on Monday, August 29.
The Old Trafford club has been pursuing Anthony for a number of weeks, but their initial offer of £67.9 million (€80 million) was rejected by the team earlier this week. On Friday, August 26, they made a second offer of £85 million (€99 million), which was accepted by Ajax.
In a YouTube interview with the Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on Friday of last week, Antony stated:
“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.
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“During the window months, meetings concluded including a proposal from Ajax for contract renewal. I made it clear once again I want to leave the club.
“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 as the highest bid received by a player who plays in the Eredivisie.”
The move to United will see Antony reunited with ex-Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who has already recruited defender Lisandro Martinez from his former club.
“I was very happy in Amsterdam, I won titles at Ajax, made friends and built part of my career, but now I reinforce that I am ready and full of motivation to follow my story and my dreams,” Antony added.
“People need to listen to me and understand that my motivation moves me towards happiness. I need this to continue performing at a high level. Ajax will always be in my heart.”
