Watch: Fabrizio Romano has huge Antony exclusive – ‘I want to leave’
Manchester United have been chasing the signature of Ajax winger Antony all summer – and now transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano has brought us a remarkable development in the saga after speaking to Antony himself.
United have been looking far and wide for reinforcements in an effort to rebuild their squad following a dire 2021-22 campaign.
New manager Erik ten Hag has managed to add Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro so far, but the Red Devils are still looking to secure a deal for an attacking player going into the final days of the summer transfer window.
It is no secret that their number-one target is 22-year-old Brazilian trickster Antony, with whom Ten Hag enjoyed great success at Ajax.
The negotiations have been odyssean, however, with Ajax holding firm over their desire to retain the Brazilian’s services for at least another season.
It seems Antony has finally snapped, his desire to move on prompting him to speak out against his club. Fabrizio Romano was the one to conduct the interview and he has revealed what Antony said to him in his latest YouTube video.
Before getting to the exclusive quotes, Romano confirmed that United have submitted a new bid for the winger.
“The biggest story of the moment is about Antony, Ajax’s top talent, with Manchester United negotiating to sign him, submitting a proposal, from my information, of €90million, a new proposal on Friday afternoon.”
“[It was] rejected by Ajax. It’s a ‘no’, it’s a complicated deal.”
Moving on, Romano quoted Antony as having told him: “Since February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club to face a new challenge and that some interested clubs would arrive, and with them a great offer.
“In June of this summer, I interrupted my vacation and came personally to inform the managers of Ajax, including the new coach, of my wish to leave and that they should consider this possibility because when I started in Amsterdam, it was a project for two seasons.
“And during the window months, meetings concluded, including a proposal from Ajax for a contract renewal. I made it clear once again – I want to leave the club.
“Today [Friday], in a meeting with the club’s board of directors, I expressed my old interest in leaving the club, only this time with a considerable offer on the table.
“Others had already arrived, Ajax always refused and hinders my exit with the argument that it only has five days to replace [me].
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Romano continued, still citing Antony’s words: “I’m not asking [Ajax] to release me, I’m asking Ajax to sell me as the highest bid ever received for an Eredivisie player in history.
“I’ve been insisting on this theme since February so that the club could rebuild the team with peace of mind and [the] right timing.
“I was very happy in Amsterdam. I won titles, made friends and built part of my career. But now I want to reinforce that I am ready and full of motivation to follow my story and my dreams.
“People need to listen to me and understand that my motivation moves me towards happiness. I need to continue performing at the highest level. Ajax will always be in my heart.”
It is quite the intervention from the young Brazilian and will fill United fans with hope that a deal might be getting closer.
To watch the full video, including a further message to Ajax fans, click below.
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