“Sure there has been contact” – Chelsea star set to make shock return to former club
According to reports, Should they sell Antony to Manchester United, Ajax would try to woo Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech back to the team.
However, According to journalist Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf, there has already been communication with the Chelsea player over the move.
After initially been linked earlier this summer, Antony has once more found himself the target of a United effort this week.
After a catastrophic start to the season, Erik ten Hag’s team has moved rapidly to recruit significant players, with a deal for Casemiro of Real Madrid nearing completion.
After that is finished, it is believed that they will focus on acquiring Antony. According to a story from today, a €70 million bid has been rejected, and a new one will be made.
If the Brazilian leaves, Ajax will have a sizable gap to fill, and Verweij claims they plan to make a move for Ziyech.
Before signing for Chelsea for €40 million in July 2020, he was the star of the show for the Dutch powerhouse, and Ajax would like to work toward a reunion.
“If Ajax gets the chance, they will get Hakim Ziyech back,” Ajax Showtime report him saying.
“There has already been contact with Ziyech. He seems to like it. If Antony leaves, which is not yet a foregone conclusion, Ajax will try to loan Ziyech from Chelsea for a year and then buy him.
“If €85m comes in for Antony, then you can also spend something. I think that Ajax will not be much worse off. If Ziyech comes back, Ajax won’t lose a lot.”
Fellow journalist Marcel van der Kraan disagrees with that latter point, though, believing Chelsea will look to take advantage of Ajax’s newfound wealth if they can.
“He can go to many clubs, only the salary is not for every club to cough up,” he added.
“If Chelsea or Manchester City lend a player out, they have to subsidise almost half of the salary. In this case they know that Ajax will soon be swimming in money. Then they will not do that.”