Antony would have been set for a big bonus had he stayed at Ajax for the whole of the current season, according to De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij.
The Brazilian eventually headed to Manchester United at the end of the transfer window. He’s done well since arriving in English football, scoring three goals in five Premier League matches.
Erik ten Hag will be hoping for another goal from the attacker today at Stamford Bridge, which would help the Red Devils leapfrog Graham Potter’s Chelsea.
Had Ajax got their way that wouldn’t have been possible. The Dutch club’s plan was to keep Antony for a further season before cashing in next summer.
In order to sooth his transfer desires, they were willing to pay him a bonus to stick around for longer.
Dutch website SoccerNews quote Verweij as saying: “Antony was given a bonus that if he stayed for one more season, he would receive several million. That was a really decent amount. I heard two to two and a half million euros and he seemed to agree with that.”
Ultimately, the temptation to join Manchester United was too strong to resist and the player did all he could to force Ajax to agree his exit. The wages he’ll be earning at Old Trafford will obviously be further compensation.
