Man Utd were sent Antony warning TWO DAYS before £86m transfer and urged to sign Liverpool star instead
MANCHESTER UNITED were warned about overpaying for Antony two days before completing a deal for the winger.
The Red Devils signed Antony in a huge £86million transfer from Ajax last August.
The 23-year-old has since struggled to find his feet at Old Trafford, scoring eight goals and providing just three assists in 55 appearances.
But before he made the move, former Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk warned United officials that they were significantly overpaying for the Brazilian’s signature.
In a column for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf published just a few days before the transfer was completed, Van Marwijk wrote: “Ajax did well to take €100million (£86m) from Manchester United anyway.
“It is the absolute top price and that amount the club would never have received in the future for Antony. I have heard the criticism that Antony was never able to score 10 goals in a season at Ajax.
“But he is not a scoring player – and he will not score much in England.
“But he can make the difference because he has the ability to create things and can always give an assist.
“He looks spectacular with his actions, but is also really decisive. What I’m curious about is whether he can handle the physical resistance in the Premier League. We will find out soon.”
The Dutchman suggested that the Red Devils sign now-Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo instead.
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He added: “Cody Gakpo is more physically capable than Antony. He also has the ability to work himself to death for the team. Many creative players are lazy players by nature.
“But Gakpo is less spectacular than Antony – and therefore Antony’s market value is higher.
“However, Gakpo will always be an ideal team player. Therefore, you can ask who would have the most value for Manchester United at the moment?”
Man Utd were heavily linked with a January swoop for Gakpo at the end of 2022, but Liverpool jumped in to hijack the deal and quickly completed a £37m transfer.
The Dutchman has since scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 38 appearances for Jurgen Klopp‘s side.
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