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Antony has reportedly landed in England, with the Brazil international set to undergo his Manchester United medical on Monday evening ahead of signing a long-term deal at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are believed to have come to an agreement with Ajax over a €100m (£85m) deal for the 22-year-old, who went public with his desire to leave the Eredivisie champions at the end of last week.
“Since February of this year, my agents came to Amsterdam to inform Ajax of my desire to leave the club to face new challenge and that some interested clubs would arrive and with them, certainly a great offer,” Antony told Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano in an exclusive interview.
“In June of this year, I interrupted my vacation and came personally to inform the managers of Ajax, including new coach, about my wish to leave and that they should consider this possibility, because it was a project for two seasons.
“During the window months, meetings continued and I also received a proposal from Ajax for contract renewal. I made it clear once again: I want to leave.
“Today, in a meeting with the club, I expressed my old interest in leaving, only this time with a considerable offer on the table. Others had already arrived! Ajax refused with argument that they only have five days to replace me.”
Antony’s words came after Ajax turned down an offer in the region of £76m from Man United, but the 20-time English champions were not prepared to drop their interest and returned with a higher bid.
The Brazilian is expected to sign a five-year deal at Old Trafford with the option of a further 12 months, and he could potentially debut against either Leicester City or Arsenal on Thursday or Sunday respectively.
According to Romano, Antony has now landed in England, and the right-sided forward will undergo his medical with Erik ten Hag’s side on Monday night.
The South American started the 2022-23 campaign in strong form for Ajax, scoring twice and providing two assists in three appearances, including one goal and two assists in two league fixtures, but he missed their last two games against Sparta Rotterdam and FC Utrecht amid the transfer speculation.
The attacker will leave Ajax with a record of 24 goals and 22 assists in 82 appearances following his move from Sao Paulo in July 2020, and the deal will see him reunite with his former manager Ten Hag.
Man United have made four signings this summer, bringing in Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.
Martin Dubravka is also said to be on the verge of joining from Newcastle United, with the stopper likely to make the move to Old Trafford on an initial loan deal.
Man United have spent much of the summer being linked with Frenkie de Jong, but the Netherlands international now looks set to stay at Barcelona, potentially on a reduced salary.
The 20-time English champions lost their opening two matches of the Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, but they have won their last two against Liverpool and Southampton.