KEY POINTS

  • Antony is contracted with Ajax until 2025
  • He netted 13 goals last season for Ajax
  • Antony has already scored two goals in three games this season

Ajax forward Antony has been reportedly pushing for a move to Manchester United before the end of the 2022 summer window.

Antony has a contract with Ajax until 2025. However, the Brazilian winger has decided not to wait any longer to take the next step in his career, reported Goal.com. In a bid to pressurize Ajax to let him leave, Antony missed training sessions and was not part of the squad for the Eredivisie clash against Sparta on Sunday.

It is believed that Antony's representatives have asked him to stay away from Ajax's activities. They are trying to convince the Amsterdam-based club to allow the player to leave for the Premier League this month.

Earlier, it was reported Ajax had turned down Manchester United's opening bid of around $61 million for Antony as the club's demands were around $81 million. However, Ajax's asking price has now increased.

Since Antony has three years left on his current contract, Ajax have leverage in negotiations and have labeled the talented attacker with an asking price of around $100 million, according to The Times.

In the 2022-23 campaign, Antony has already netted two goals in three games. Ironically, Manchester United are yet to score a goal having played two games in the Premier League. Both the games ended in a loss. They do have a goal in their account, which was an own goal scored by Brighton in their Premier League opener at Old Trafford earlier this month.

Antony wants to join Manchester United despite knowing he would miss out on the Champions League this season. One of the reasons behind Antony's decisions is believed to be Erik ten Hag, who was the former's boss at Ajax.

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United
Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United waves to the fans during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on August 07, 2022 in Manchester, England. Michael Regan/Getty Images

Antony finished with 12 goals and 10 assists in 33 competitive appearances in 2021-22. Of this, eight goals and four assists had come in 23 league games. He played a vital role in Ajax's Eredivisie victory.

Manchester United, on the other hand, were never in the Premier League title race last term and the decorated club finished outside the top four in the league table. They have not won a trophy since the 2016-17 season.