Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has expressed his desire to strengthen his side’s attack in the summer transfer window.
Ajax star Antony has emerged as a target for the Red Devils. On Tuesday, the Dutch club’s chief, Gerry Hamstra, refused to rule out a move for the winger, but insisted the club don’t want to sell.
De Telegraaf now have a report stating there is interest from Manchester United in the 22-year-old, but the Eredivisie winners ‘don’t want to sell him’.
After mentioning the Premier League side’s interest in the Brazil international, the report focuses on Alfred Schreuder’s comments about the possibility of parting ways with the wideman this summer.
Like Hamstra, the current Ajax manager has refused to rule out Antony leaving the club before the window closes.
“As a coach, you never know for sure, but internally we have expressed that we want to keep this team together,” Schreuder said, as quoted by De Telegraaf.
“Whether he only leaves for the absolute, absolute, absolute top prize, because we don’t have to sell? I hope he’s not sold at all. He’s at the right age and we just need his threat.
“This group has gone through so many changes. And then you need time to fit in new players. It is important for the whole group to have a lot of options, because we play a lot of matches in a short time. This selection has a lot of potential.”
De Telegraaf states the current Manchester United manager had the power to veto Ajax’s transfers, when he was at in charge of the Amsterdam club.
They state the same cannot be said about Schreuder. Responding to that, the Eredivisie manager said: “I don’t want to go that far, because I think you should always do things in consultation.
“Everyone at Ajax knows my opinion and point of view, but I am not the boss of the club. The people above me have to decide. We talk to each other every day and that is going very well. We do what is best for Ajax and everyone understands that I don’t want to sell him.”
Schreuder also dismissed claims that Antony is pushing for a transfer amid interest from Manchester United.
“He trains well and likes to play. So, I don’t feel like he’s in the process of transferring,” the Ajax manager added.
The Dutch club have been active in the transfer window and have spent in excess of €80m ahead of the new season. That doesn’t mean they need to raise more money.
“No, that doesn’t cause any extra pressure. If you sell as many players as Ajax did this summer, you need time to get into the season and find the right compositions. We are now working hard on that,” Schreuder stressed.
“Of course, you know that at Ajax you actually have to win every match. I’m used to that. I feel privileged that so much money is being spent. Although we have still collected more than we have spent.”
