Will debut for Seleção
After winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games, Antony has continued to impress for Ajax Amsterdam collecting four scorer points in his first six games for the Eredivisie side. The performances have impressed Brazilian national team coach Tite, who has now nominated him for the Seleção. The Brazilian outlet UOL has now reported that Ajax, due to Antony’s form, have increased their internal market value for the player. Teams interested in the winger will have to pay at least €40 million.
Antony joined Ajax for almost €16 million from São Paulo in 2020. The fee could grow by an additional €6 million thanks to bonus payments. The Brazilian club will also receive 20% of any transfer profit.
UOL, which is considered a reliable source in Brazil, has now named Bayern Munich as the “most interested” club in the winger—Barcelona, who are still struggling financially, have also been named. Bayern head coach Julian Nagelsmann was already interested in the winger when he was still in charge at RB Leipzig, but Ajax beat out the Bundesliga club at the time.
Ajax wanted to sell more players: “Disappointed that it didn’t work out”
Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars wanted to sell several of the club’s stars last window—without success. “Many clubs wanted to loan David Neres but that wouldn’t have benefited Ajax,” Overmars said to Ajax TV. “That would have only worked with an obligation to buy.”
Summer 2021
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Overview
“He has been here for four and a half years, that is the right time to try a different environment,” Overmars said. “I was disappointed that it didn’t work out.” In the club’s history, Ajax have sold ten players for €25 million or more—last summer, there was no top deal, but the Amsterdam-based club still earned €34 million on the market.
Klaassen, Haller & Co.: Ajax Amsterdam’s record transfers
Left-back Nicolás Tagliafico and goalkeeper André Onana were also candidates for Ajax to generate money. Banned until November, Onana’s contract will expire in 2022. Tagliafico’s contract, in the meantime, will expire in 2023. Both are unlikely to generate significant transfer fees.
Antony, however, has good chances to become a significant transfer should he continue to impress in the Champions League and also play well for his country. The winger has a good chance to become more expensive than Donny van de Beek (to Man United), Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea), and Davinson Sánchez (sold to Tottenham).
