Director of football affairs Marc Overmars faces a monumental task now that many key players are set to leave the Johan Cruijff ArenA, and every effort must be made to build another high-quality squad. Last week, it was announced that Hakim Ziyech will play for Chelsea next season, and many first-team players are expected to follow his transfer example.
The amount transferred to Sao Paulo demonstrates Ajax's seriousness about becoming Dutch champions again next season and playing a significant role in the Champions League. Ajax received a loud 'no' last transfer period after an offer of 20 million euros fixed and 5 million variable was made.
After the Ziyech deal, the commissioners gave permission to go even further and break the club transfer record. It is expected that Ajax will pay over 20 million euros fixed and the rest potentially in bonuses.
The 'Antony project' was launched 3.5 years ago, after the club management was alerted to the player by the agent of Jong Ajax player Danilo. Since then, all Ajax scouts – and Henk Veldmate and Hans van der Zee in particular – have seen him in action frequently. The pile of glowing reports is large.
Overmars actually wanted to finalize the transfer on January 31 to beat out big clubs, including Borussia Dortmund. That didn't work out then, but the director indicated he still had good hope of bringing in the gem. Ajax and the player himself have already agreed on the main terms of a contract. As soon as Antony has passed his medical, the transfer can be officially announced to the world.
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Source: TG
