Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder has confirmed that the club is still in talks over a deal to sign Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn, but insists nothing is complete just yet.
Schreuder, who has replaced Erik ten Hag at the helm in Amsterdam also spoke about winger Antony, a summer target for Ten Hag at new club Manchester United.
The Brazilian is currently nursing an injury, with Schreuder only expressing hope that he will be back fit by the end of pre-season.
“Antony is recovering from his injury in Amsterdam,” the Ajax boss told Dutch reporters.
“He is doing reasonably well, but the coming weeks are important. We hope that he will improve quickly before his injury. I assume that he will be fit again at the end of pre-season.”
As for Bergwijn, a fee between Ajax and Tottenham in the region of £20m (€23m) was agreed earlier this month – as 90min previously revealed.
Schreuder said, “That has not yet been finalised,” and in doing so effectively confirmed that talks are continuing to take place. “[I am] waiting calmly. I focus on the players I do have. Those I don’t have, I can’t do anything with that now.”
Bergwijn recently spoke of his frustration about a lack of playing time and desire to move on.
“Is it important that my new club plays in the Champions League? That’s not my top priority. It would be nice, but what’s important is that I’m going to play,” he told AD.
“I wasn’t allowed to leave Spurs in the winter and then I didn’t have any problems. But for the last few months, I was hardly looked after there. I want to go and play somewhere weekly.”
However, despite Ajax looking likely to secure a deal, late competition has arisen from Premier League club Everton. The Toffees have offered more money than is on the table should Bergwijn return home to Netherlands and the player, while originally having his heart set on Ajax, is at least considering the proposal that has come from Goodison Park.
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