Escalating transfer fees will see Manchester United pay more for Antony than Real Madrid did for Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2009 – despite him scoring 116 fewer goals and not having a Ballon d’Or to his name.
The 22-year-old has scored a total of 25 goals for Ajax since joining from Sao Paulo back in 2020 – but his former boss Erik ten Hag has seen enough to push for a €100million (£85m) move.
That is £5m more than Real Madrid paid United for Ronaldo back in 2009, despite him already having 118 club and 24 international goals to his name as well as the biggest individual prize in the game.
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The Mirror report news of the £85m fee after the Brazil International went on strike in a bid to force a move to the Premier League giants.
Ten Hag has watched his side put together back-to-back wins following defeats against Brighton and Brentford, but has always refused to rule out a blockbuster attacking arrival.
The transfer will also put Ronaldo’s future into further doubt following his return to Old Trafford from Juventus last summer, with his manager unclear on what might happen.
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(Image: Getty Images)
Ten Hag said: “I cannot say that [Ronaldo will leave United].
“We plan with him and we stick to the plan and if there are good players available we will strike because we want to strengthen the squad always.
“So we will be alert until the last second of the window.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Although Ronaldo enjoy success individually last season, United’s failure to secure Champions League qualification looks to have pushed him towards the exit door.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner hit out at reports he was forcing a move back in July by saying: “Impossible not to talk about me one day.
“Otherwise the press makes no money. You know that if you don’t lie you can’t get people’s attention. Keep going that one day you get some news right.”
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