At the weekend, we covered claims made in Brazil that Antony had asked Ajax to sanction his sale to Manchester United immediately.
It was also explained the Red Devils insisted they would make an improved bid of around €100m for the winger.
Manchester United had already seen offers of around €80m and €90m for the star turned down by the Eredivisie winners.
According to Algemeen Dagblad, the Premier League side were again on Ajax’s doorstep at the weekend, where the breakthrough took place and the Dutch club ‘gave in to Antony’s departure’.
The two sides ‘reached a final agreement on Sunday evening’ for a fee of €95m plus €5m in bonuses. The improved bids from United and the increasing pressure from the Brazil international made it difficult for them to retain him in the end.
De Telegraaf’s Valentijn Driessen claims the finances were the ‘biggest motivation’ for the South American wanting to leave Ajax for Manchester United.
“The financial picture, playing football independently, himself, his family, children and children’s children, is his biggest motivation. So, he is willing to force a rift at Ajax to pocket millions of euros in the Premier League,” Driessen said.
Erik ten Hag’s side will play in the Europa League this season. Driessen explains lack of Champions League football will not stop Manchester United being a better showcase than Ajax when it comes to Antony catching Tite’s attention.
“It is also right that Antony laughs at the sporting suggestion from the Netherlands that he has a better chance at the World Cup at Ajax than at Manchester United. Because Ajax play in the Champions League and United in the Europa League,” Driessen added.
“With a view to the World Cup, the Premier League and the presence of Ten Hag at United are a big advantage. Antony is guaranteed to have minutes in a top competition.
“The Premier League-Manchester United combination weighs much more heavily for Brazil manager Tite than Eredivisie-Champions League-Ajax. The English combination also gives Antony an edge over his competitors in the Brazilian team.”
