CHELSEA IN CONTACT WITH ANTONY

Immediate past European champions Chelsea have been in contact with Ajax Amsterdam winger Antony as they bid to boost their attacking options for the new season. This is according to the report from news outlet 90 Min as it was revealed that the Blues have opened talks with Antony who has also been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United. Chelsea have initiated talks with the player’s entourage to explore the possibility of signing the Brazilian international.

Antony is a target for both Manchester United and Chelsea on the back of an outstanding season for Dutch team Ajax Amsterdam. He was one of the most important attackers at Ajax Amsterdam with 22 goal involvements in 36 games in all competitions. Antony scored ten goals and provided 12 assists for his Dutch team as Ajax won the league for an unprecedented time. The winger propelled the former European champions to win league title number 36 ahead of rivals PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.

Ajax Amsterdam signed Antony from Sao Paulo in the Brazilian league two years ago and he hasbeen a key player for the Dutch Eredivisie giants since then. He has nine caps for Brazil since his debut in October 2021.

It has been reported that Manchester United and Chelsea will have to meet the asking price of at least £69m to sign Antony from Ajax Amsterdam. His representatives have informed senior Ajax officials to consider bids made for the player. Apart from Chelsea and Manchester United, Antony is also under consideration from Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is in need of attacking reinforcements to his team with the imminent exit of RomeluLukaku. The Belgian international is set to quit Chelsea for Inter Milan in the Italian league on loan without the option of a permanent transfer.