Ajax appears to be hesitant about potentially re-signing Antony from Manchester United. The Red Devils invested £86 million to acquire the Brazilian winger from the Dutch club in the summer of 2022, but his time at Old Trafford has been underwhelming.
The 24-year-old, who previously thrived under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, has managed to score only 12 goals across 86 appearances, causing him to slip down the squad hierarchy this season and igniting speculation regarding his future.
Throughout the summer, there were rumors of Antony possibly leaving the club, and Mail Sport reported last week that United is considering sending him out on loan in January, potentially paving the way for a permanent transfer next year.
Ajax has emerged as one of the clubs interested in him, particularly given Antony’s impressive record of 24 goals and 22 assists during his time with the Amsterdam side.
Despite Ajax expressing interest, according to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, they are uncertain about making a move. The report indicates that the Dutch club is concerned about Antony’s mentality following his challenges at Old Trafford.
When previously questioned about Antony’s status at United, Ten Hag remarked that the winger must enhance his performance to warrant a place in the lineup. “He’s impatient, he wants to play,” Ten Hag acknowledged. “But in top football, you have to select the team with the best chance of winning, considering dynamics and chemistry. Players need to compete for their places.”
Mail Sport recently reported that United may be ready to part ways with Antony, placing a £40 million valuation on him. Despite the departures of several wingers including Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, and Omari Forson, Antony still ranks fourth in the pecking order behind Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Amad Diallo.
This current season, Antony has featured in just four matches, starting only once and scoring once during a 7-0 rout of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
By considering a loan move in January, United hopes that Antony will gain valuable playing time elsewhere, which could spark further interest next summer. However, the club might struggle to recover even half of what they paid Ajax, representing a significant financial blow amid a cost-cutting initiative by new co-owners Ineos that has already seen 250 job cuts and the cessation of Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial role.
Currently positioned 12th in the Premier League, United is gearing up to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday, followed by a match against the struggling West Ham on Sunday.
