Antony | Here we go! €100mill, contract until June 2027, option 'til 2028.

[Laurencio]

Obviously they are complaining there's no much time for a replacement. It's been reported a number of times before

I have nothing against Ajax or the way they are handling this, but to me this whole situation reads like a game. Ajax has a very good scouting and recruitment department, there is no way they don't already have a number of targets lined up who they could go for. Especially given the comments made by Antony - of course they have an idea of who they would like to go for. In fact I think they have already brought him in. Francisco Conceiçao, a left footed right winger, was brought in this summer from Porto.

I think they just don't want to appear to be selling off their entire team in one window and have decided that they can afford to play hard-ball with us, because we are stupid with our money and they know we will end up paying that €100M.

 

[GledTheRed]

Just let him leave you feeder club, stop dragging it out.

 

[RedRonaldo]

Love how players are always painted as the hostages of the evil clubs not selling them. It's up to Ajax to decide what offer is acceptable and what is not. This sentence "They shouldn't hold against players wish" is just so wrong. Nobody held him at gunpoint to sign a 5 year contract without a buy out clause.

Of course you may say so, but don't you think top young talents willing go join Ajax at young age, is because they knew the club wouldn't hold them back in future move to bigger club? There is reason why Ajax always able to attract young talents for peanuts. Plus its not right to hold players back against their wish in a shite league, especially its clear the players should pursue their career in higher level.

The way Antony is acting now, clearly shown he is very pissed off at Ajax.

 

[EtH]

Playing hard ball is fine. They have the rights too.

However, from what you read, they've not been playing hard ball, they've been messing Antony, and United, around. That's the frustration.

Nah, we’ve just cocked it up with our lack of vision and ambition and leaving it late as per. Stop trying to find excuses in bullshit tweets.

 

[moses]

Playing hard ball is fine. They have the rights too.

However, from what you read, they've not been playing hard ball, they've been messing Antony, and United, around. That's the frustration.

I'm obviously not as sensitive as you. I thought in business you do what you can to keep your asset or get the highest price. That's what we wouod like United to do.

 

[moses]

Of course you may say so, but don't you think top young talents willing go join Ajax at young age, is because they knew the club wouldn't hold them back in future move to bigger club? There is reason why Ajax always able to attract young talents for peanuts. Plus its not right to hold players back against their wish in a shite league, especially its clear the players should pursue their career in higher level.

The way Antony is acting now, clearly shown he is very pissed off at Ajax.

Outside of this thread Ajax is still revered as a destination for young players.

 

[TheReligion]

Why would Ajax set a price and then reject a bid for that sum? To feck with their own player?

Makes zero sense.

That’s exactly how it seems if you read the sequence of events from the reliable journos and consider the interview with the player.

Why do you think he’s so angry and upset?

 

[Mainoldo]

Ok so because this happened, this must also apply to everyone. Sure mate

Ignore the bit above where I state this happens ALL the time.

I feel like a lot of people on here are Ajax fans. Not sure what people are trying to defend here. It’s just bizarre. A £50m player tops has a £76m offer on the table for him.

If you want to add more perspective Champions League winning AC Milan accepted £100m for Kaka. Economics should relatively always win against stupidity.

 

[VP89]

Playing hard ball is fine. They have the rights too.

However, from what you read, they've not been playing hard ball, they've been messing Antony, and United, around. That's the frustration.

They haven't though. They had a price. It wasn't met. Now the price us far higher, and it still isnt met.

 

[Bondi77]

I don't know what the big deal is in getting this bloke as Sancho is starting to find his feet on the RW and Marcus has just come off his best game in quite a while.
I want to see Erik coaching our young blokes like Alejandro and our very own Anthony as they have the potential to do good things for the club.

 

[Telsim]

Antony said there were was an offer on the table from a team in June.

Whether that is true or not, we don't know. But even if we assume we offered and it was rejected why didn't the club push harder? As I said, priority target. What's the benefit of leaving it for the last week? In fact, there weren't any concrete links before we got trounced by Brentford and #GlazerOut sentiments started boiling over. This isn't suspicious to you?

 

[RedRonaldo]

Yes you’re spot on but others just want to moan and blame the club.

- Antony claims when he signed he agreed to a two year project

- He told Ajax he wanted to leave in Feb so the club could prepare

- A offer was made in June, he again said he wanted to leave.

- He refused to sign a new deal

- Ajax said they wanted €70-80m for him (leaked to the press)

- United make an offer at this price which is rejected, player then goes on strike and is clearly unhappy

- Ajax leak they want more to the press, upwards to €100m

- United raise the offer to €94m and it is again rejected

- Ajax tell Antony they don’t have time to replace him

- Antony does his interview

It’s obvious to anyone Ajax have been messing around both Antony and United. Yes you can criticise United but the sequence of events indicates they told United the price earlier in the window and United have come back and met it only be to rejected, asked to pay more and rejected again.

Why do people think Antony is so upset about it? He knows the excuses being made by Ajax are nonsense.

It’s fairly obvious they are going back on their word to the player and to United to continually squeeze more and more money. If they weren’t interested in selling late in the window why not say so early on and why continue to get United to make bids at a new price.

Very well said.

 

[red thru&thru]

He said that he informed them in June that he wanted to leave. I didn't see anything that there was an offer was on the table, but happy to be corrected.

Says this time (yesterday) a concrete offer was presented and they still rejected, hence why he's pissed and revealing all.

Using logic, this would suggest there were offers early on. Why would he cut his vacation short in June to ask to leave, if there hadn't been a proposal to leave for?

Also, the June time frame ties in with us making initial enquiries and discussions of a bid.

 

[moses]

I think it’s clear Ajax have moved the goal posts a few times on this.

If people think that’s reasonable then fair enough. None of us know exactly what’s been said by who.

Logic would tell us in Antonys reaction he feels very hard done by though and that suggests to me they’ve had plenty of discussions with the player, agreed to let him go for the right price and now that price has been hit are going back on their word claiming it’s ‘too late to sell’ (despite negotiating a fee and deal over days with United).

They have just wasted time to run the window down.

Because they don't want to sell unless, it's for stupid stupid money. Which is fair enough.

Antony is obviously pissed off but that's the risk of a 5 year deal, and the clubs risk injury and a drop in form.

I don't see anyone doing anything wrong.

 

[Smores]

How many posters here have been bemoaning the 'drama' of Ronaldo wanting to leave I wonder. It's not great from Antony coming out publically like that, he has a contract. Ajax will rightly act in their own interests not his.

 

[VP89]

Yes you’re spot on but others just want to moan and blame the club.

- Antony claims when he signed he agreed to a two year project

- He told Ajax he wanted to leave in Feb so the club could prepare

- A offer was made in June, he again said he wanted to leave.

- He refused to sign a new deal

- Ajax said they wanted €70-80m for him (leaked to the press)

- United make an offer at this price which is rejected, player then goes on strike and is clearly unhappy

- Ajax leak they want more to the press, upwards to €100m

- United raise the offer to €94m and it is again rejected

- Ajax tell Antony they don’t have time to replace him

- Antony does his interview

It’s obvious to anyone Ajax have been messing around both Antony and United. Yes you can criticise United but the sequence of events indicates they told United the price earlier in the window and United have come back and met it only be to rejected, asked to pay more and rejected again.

Why do people think Antony is so upset about it? He knows the excuses being made by Ajax are nonsense.

It’s fairly obvious they are going back on their word to the player and to United to continually squeeze more and more money. If they weren’t interested in selling late in the window why not say so early on and why continue to get United to make bids at a new price.

They had a price, it wasn't met.

How have they played anyone around?

 

[TheReligion]

This is the post!

Not too sure how many can say that things are much more different to what you've posted here!

People will still use mental gymnastics though, to blame United!

It’s crazy.

If Ajax are using the line that they won’t sell now because it is too late then why allow United to agree personal terms with the player and sit down and negotiate a deal and structure (twice).

 

[red thru&thru]

Nah, we’ve just cocked it up with our lack of vision and ambition and leaving it late as per. Stop trying to find excuses in bullshit tweets.

Hahaha, okay.

 

[Gfooty]

Sounds like Ajax had a figure in mind that wasn't met, so the price has increased even more OR hes simply unsellable now.

I dont blame them.

This is what happened I suppose.

I'm sure the talks between Antony and Ajax about his wish to leave happened

There was probably a bid mid summer, which at the time wasn't enough.

Price goes up late in the window. Offer hasn't (yet) matched the asking price.

Now that wasn't so hard was it.

 

[TheReligion]

They had a price, it wasn't met.

How have they played anyone around?

The price has been met, despite increasing it twice.

They are now trying to say they won’t sell due to time constraints.

Despite negotiating two different deals…

 

[RedRonaldo]

All the post deserved really. Completely adolescent and belittling take on Ajax and football in general.

Look we have already paid them well for VDB and Martinez, we owe them nothing and has been trying to be in good relationship with them, being respectful and all that. They are really fecking us and Antony around this time. If you still want to lick their boots, go on do your stuff.

 

[VP89]

It’s crazy.

If Ajax are using the line that they won’t sell now because it is too late then why allow United to agree personal terms with the player and sit down and negotiate a deal and structure (twice).

Agreeing terms with a player isn't exactly done at the behest of the selling club anymore. Its just easy to do low key, thats all.

Us going to the table and making offers doesn't mean they will accept.

 

[RoyH1]

How many posters here have been bemoaning the 'drama' of Ronaldo wanting to leave I wonder. It's not great from Antony coming out publically like that, he has a contract. Ajax will rightly act in their own interests not his.

Just imagine the state of the forum if a United player wanted to leave us for Barcelona and he came out like that.
Ajax doesn't want to sell because it's so close to the deadline and they can't find a replacement.

 

[duffer]

That’s exactly how it seems if you read the sequence of events from the reliable journos and consider the interview with the player.

Why do you think he’s so angry and upset?

Even if you believe twitter "leaks", that tweet was still wrong. They said Martinez would go for 50 mil and it was more than that. Stands to reason they also might have got the Antony sum wrong as well, no?

Antony is annoyed because he wants a move. Just like Fofana and a ton of other players who throw their toys our of the pram when they don't get what they want.

 

[VP89]

The price has been met, despite increasing it twice.

They are now trying to say they won’t sell due to time constraints.

Despite negotiating two different deals…

No it wasnt. The price had already up to 100m eur when we offered 80.

Then, knowing it was 100m, we offered 90.

If anyone's messing about its United.

 

[red thru&thru]

I'm obviously not as sensitive as you. I thought in business you do what you can to keep your asset or get the highest price. That's what we wouod like United to do.

There's a thing call integrity when negotiating. Clearly you don't follow this.

If a car dealer sets a price of a car, would you expect them to higher the value when happy to negotiate the original fee?

Yeah, that's sensitive.

 

[EtH]

Using logic, this would suggest there were offers early on. Why would he cut his vacation short in June to ask to leave, if there hadn't been a proposal to leave for?

Also, the June time frame ties in with us making initial enquiries and discussions of a bid.

What does it matter ? His intentions mean sweet feck all if he has a contract for years yet.

 

[saivet]

Yes you’re spot on but others just want to moan and blame the club.

- Antony claims when he signed he agreed to a two year project

- He told Ajax he wanted to leave in Feb so the club could prepare

- A offer was made in June, he again said he wanted to leave.

- He refused to sign a new deal

- Ajax said they wanted €70-80m for him (leaked to the press)

- United make an offer at this price which is rejected, player then goes on strike and is clearly unhappy

- Ajax leak they want more to the press, upwards to €100m

- United raise the offer to €94m and it is again rejected

- Ajax tell Antony they don’t have time to replace him

- Antony does his interview

Some of the key context around what's in bold is that he doesn't say an offer was made in June, seem a lot of people are assuming this to be the case but unless there is a source stating otherwise, he just made clear he wants to leave.

Secondly it seems as though we met this €80m price tag weeks later. It wasn't case of us progressing things quickly we baulked at the price then came back after the season started. Harsh for Antony but they are well within their right to up the price if the offer takes so long to come.

 

[VP89]

The price has been met, despite increasing it twice.

They are now trying to say they won’t sell due to time constraints.

Despite negotiating two different deals…

Lets be clear about this - their ask was never once met.

When we bid 80, the asking price had already gone up to 100m.

 

[RedRonaldo]

To be fair hes right.

Of course, but against the players wish, and a club who has always paid them good money/respect.

 

[moses]

There's a thing call integrity when negotiating. Clearly you don't follow this.

If a car dealer sets a price of a car, would you expect them to higher the value when happy to negotiate the original fee?

Yeah, that's sensitive.

Integrity is honouring your contract foremost.

 

[TheReligion]

Because they don't want to sell unless, it's for stupid stupid money. Which is fair enough.

Antony is obviously pissed off but that's the risk of a 5 year deal, and the clubs risk injury and a drop in form.

I don't see anyone doing anything wrong.

Why have they quoted and negotiated various bids then, allowing the player to agree personal terms, only to reject both then decide it’s actually too late?

We all know this isn’t how deals work.

 

[Greck]

I'm not sure why people want to bring up this narrative that we couldn't have gotten him for cheaper if we bid earlier. We only have ourselves to blame.

I didn't know but I wouldn't even be surprised. People have been defending our crappy business all summer like they can't differentiate support from blind fanaticism. The first one we heard was young talented players didn't want to join. That one especially was an insultingly foolish rationalisation. One bid and we have Antony threatening to strike. We never lost all our appeal.

 

[VP89]

Of course, but against the players wish, and a club who has always paid them good money/respect.

Immaterial. A player is under contract. He can leave for a fee but if that is not met then its not their fault.

 

[TheReligion]

Integrity is honouring your contract foremost.

and also your word

 

[Tiber]

I'm happy he is desperate to come, but I doubt in a normal window Antony is worth 60m nevermind 90. But desperate clubs do desperate things and it looks like Ajax are going to push us all the way to 100m on deadline day

Which is a shame for Antony as fans and the media will use the price tag to batter him like we see with Maguire

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Ignore the bit above where I state this happens ALL the time.

I feel like a lot of people on here are Ajax fans. Not sure what people are trying to defend here. It’s just bizarre. A £50m player tops has a £76m offer on the table for him.

If you want to add more perspective Champions League winning AC Milan accepted £100m for Kaka. Economics should relatively always win against stupidity.

It doesn't matter how many examples you give mate. It doesn't have to apply to every club. Why do you think ajax wouldn't sell him for that absurd price

 

[red thru&thru]

Whether that is true or not, we don't know. But even if we assume we offered and it was rejected why didn't the club push harder? As I said, priority target. What's the benefit of leaving it for the last week? In fact, there weren't any concrete links before we got trounced by Brentford and #GlazerOut sentiments started boiling over. This isn't suspicious to you?

Suspicious? Not really. EtH clearly saw the incompetencey of his squad. He evaluated it during the tour, and thought they're not too bad. Then come the real games, he saw that things indeed needed changing. So on the back of that, we went for it.

In regards to Antony, we have met the price that Ajax asked for. Antony has also said that an offer of considerable amount has been offered for him. So, I'm guessing this is why he's annoyed, as no doubt he's been promised things that haven't happened.

 

[TheReligion]

Even if you believe twitter "leaks", that tweet was still wrong. They said Martinez would go for 50 mil and it was more than that. Stands to reason they also might have got the Antony sum wrong as well, no?

Antony is annoyed because he wants a move. Just like Fofana and a ton of other players who throw their toys our of the pram when they don't get what they want.

The tweet was corrected to reflect the true price for martinez shortly afterwards

 

[VP89]

Why have they quoted and negotiated various bids then, allowing the player to agree personal terms, only to reject both then decide it’s actually too late?

We all know this isn’t how deals work.

Follow the tweets.
It was 60-80m back in June. We dicked about with lowball offers.
Tier one then said now its 100m eur as they sold a lot now, and they are deep into the window.

We then came with an 80m and a 90m with a week to go.

Now which one is messing about?