Earlier this week, the Portuguese press reported that Manchester City are interested in signing São Paulo wonderkid Antony.
Newspaper Record claimed the Premier League champions would be ‘evaluating’ the possibility of signing the player and loaning him out to Sporting for a while.
The outlet said Antony would cost €20m, despite having a €50m release clause with the Brazilian side.
Now it turns out that São Paulo were quick responding to the claims, as outlet Globo Esporte now reports the club’s wish to renew Antony’s contract.
The idea is simply to give him a pay raise, awarding him for the development he’s had in the past few months. His deal would continue to run until 2023, and there would only be a change in the release clause for Brazilian sides, keeping the price for foreign clubs at €50m.
According to Globo Esporte, São Paulo are not currently negotiating the player’s sale with anyone. Whoever comes for him would have to pay the release clause amount, and the board have been informed as such from the president and his direct surroundings.
Globo Esporte only takes the claims from Record to mention Manchester City’s interest, and adds that Ajax have also been following the 19-year-old.