Manchester United announced Tuesday that it has struck a deal with Ajax to sign Brazilian forward Antony.
Ajax announced a transfer fee of 95 million euros (£81 million). If add-ons are included, the cost might reach 100 million euros (£86 million).
If the transaction goes through, it will be a record for an Eredivisie player, exceeding the 86 million euros maximum value of Frenkie de Jong’s move from Ajax to Barcelona three years ago, according to Dutch national news agency ANP.
Antony has 31 goals in 134 club games for Ajax and Sao Paulo, as well as two goals in nine senior international appearances for Brazil.
The 22-year-old will be reunited with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who has previously taken defender Lisandro Martinez from the Dutch giants to United.
‘Meetings concluded during the window months, including an Ajax proposal for contract renewal.’ I stated unequivocally that I intend to leave the club.
‘I reiterated my intention in leaving the club today in a meeting with the board, this time with a substantial offer on the table.’ Others have already come, but Ajax usually refuses, claiming that it only has five days to replace them (me).
‘I’m not asking (for Ajax) to release me, I am asking Ajax to sell me for the highest bid received for a player who plays in the Eredivisie.’
Antony added: ‘I was very happy in Amsterdam. I won titles at Ajax, made friends and built part of my career, but now I reinforce that I am ready and full of motivation to follow my story and my dreams…Ajax will always be in my heart.’
The transfer window ends on Thursday evening, when United travel to Leicester in search of a third consecutive Premier League victory. Antony is unlikely to play against the Foxes, who are presently bottom of the standings.
United began the season with humiliating defeats at the hands of Brighton and Brentford before rebounding with a 2-1 win over fierce rivals Liverpool and a tight 1-0 win away to Southampton last weekend.
During this transfer window, Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, and Casemiro have all arrived at Old Trafford.