With Antony’s move from Ajax to Manchester United now impending, it hasn’t taken long for the sniping to start in the Netherlands.
Despite the Dutch champions being close to bolstering their accounts by the tidy sum of €100m, not everybody is happy about the situation around the Brazilian.
Ajax boss Albert Schreuder has already publicly declared his displeasure at the whole affair, criticising the player and the efforts he’s gone to get his dream move to Manchester United.
That’s been followed by a whole host of journalists, analysts and former players and managers sharing their opinion on the matter too.
All of them have followed the same theme, with most happy to criticise United and Antony and basically pour misery wherever they can, and Leo Beenhakker is the latest to join the chorus.
“It’s only been about Antony for three weeks now. I only read the headlines in the newspapers and think whatever,” he told Het Parool, relayed by Ajax Showtime.
“It does not all deserve the prize of beauty. Of course, Ajax cannot say no to such an extreme amount. I think it’s clever that they have kept their stance for so long.
“If the goalkeeper forgets to put on his gloves and a ball slip between his fingers, you are all empty-handed. Even the man of €100m.
“We all find what is happening absurd, and yet there are a few people at the very tip of the football iceberg who think it is completely normal to pay such sums for a footballer. The only thing I can say to Antony is have fun.”
With Antony’s departure now impending, it will be interesting to see what happens to Cody Gakpo.
He has also been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, with it claimed he would either be an alternative to the Brazilian or signed alongside him.
Those suggestions have now died down as Antony’s move gets close to being finalised, with Gakpo instead linked to other Premier League clubs.
He could still end up in England but Bert van Marwijk believes Manchester United should have been signing him instead of Antony anyway.
“Ajax did well to accept the offer from Manchester United anyway. It is the absolute top price, and the club would never have received that amount in the future for Antony,” he told De Telegraaf.
“What I am curious about is whether he can cope with the physical resistance in the Premier League. In that respect Cody Gakpo of PSV is physically capable of more.
“He also has the ability to work his behind off for the team. Many creative players are lazy by nature. Gakpo is less spectacular than Antony. But he will always be an ideal team player.”
