Manchester United have been dealt fresh hope in their pursuit of Antony following comments made by new Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder. The Dutchman has refused the shut the door on the potential departure of the Brazilian winger, admitting that an exit this summer cannot be ruled out.
Earlier this summer, Antony was identified as a concrete target for Erik ten Hag after the manager completed his switch from Amsterdam to Manchester. Since arriving, the Dutch manager has already done business with his old club, assenting to the deal which brought Lisandro Martinez to Old Trafford. Still, all is far from done for the 52-year-old with reports suggesting that he remains keen on recruiting another key member of his former side for the 21-time league champions.
Last season, Antony was one of the top performers at Ajax and his stock has consequently risen. According to reports from the Netherlands, the Eredivise champions are adamant to sanction his departure but will consider an offer in the region of $81M (£67M). Nevertheless, the move is said to be dependant on the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese striker keen on moving away from Old Trafford this summer.
Against this backdrop, Ajax have seemingly left the door open for the 22-year-old winger to secure a move elsewhere despite overseeing a handful of outgoings in this transfer window. The current Eredivisie title holders have already earned around $121M (£100M) this summer from the sales of Martinez, Ryan Gravenberch, Sebastien Haller and Nicolas Tagliafico but the club's manager has hinted at more depatures.
Speaking to Ziggo Sport after Ajax's recent pre-season win over Shakhtar Donetsk, Schreuder was asked about the possibility of losing Antony and whether or not he was afraid. In his response, he said: "No, I am not afraid of anything," he said (via WeTalkAjax).
"We know we have very good players [here] and we assume we will keep the squad together. But, with football, you never know."
Ajax technical manager Gerry Hamstra also reiterated the club's manager's sentiments by admiting that nothing can be ruled out. In an interview with Voetbal International, he said: "We want to keep this group together. I assume that no one leaves this core anymore. "Of course you can never say never, I have learned that by now.
"But we also talk about it with the players, have conversations. Also with boys who may have a wish to leave. "Ajax players are drawn, that is logical."
