Manchester United have completed the signing of Antony from Ajax for a total package worth €100 million: a €95 million transfer fee plus €5 million in future add-ons.
He will sign a five-year deal, running until 2027.
The Brazilian becomes Erik ten Hag’s fifth summer signing after Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord, Christian Eriksen on a free, Lisandro Martinez from Ajax and Casemiro from Real Madrid.
The confirmation of the transfer ends several weeks of speculation and negotiations between the two clubs, who have been engaged in many moves over the summer.
Transfer ends weeks of negotiations
Ajax held out for the fee, having previously rejected offers worth €80 million and €90 million earlier in the window, with this price being too good to turn down.
They wanted to give new coach Alfred Schreuder the best chance to compete, having already lost players such as Martinez, Sebastien Haller, Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch.
It’s also the third – and likely the final – piece of business between Ajax and Manchester United this summer, with Ten Hag and Martinez going to Old Trafford this summer for a combined fee of just over €60 million.
Ten Hag was keen to reunite with Antony having seen his development at the Johan Cruyff Arena over the years when the two were at Ajax.
Antony becomes the biggest sale in Ajax and Eredivisie history, as well as Manchester United’s second-biggest transfer after Paul Pogba.
Additionally, he’s also the third-most expensive Brazilian footballer ever after Neymar’s move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and Philippe Coutinho’s move from Liverpool to Barcelona.
It’s expected that he won’t be available to play against Leicester City on Thursday, but could make his debut for the club at home to Arsenal when the two clubs meet on Sunday afternoon.
