Antony | Here we go! €100mill, contract until June 2027, option 'til 2028.

[Drizzle]

Ronaldo arguably wasn’t world class until he left united to go to madrid at 24

Absolutely ridiculous.

He was one of the most dominant attackers in premier league or even first division history at the point he left. Insane stats and backed up by skills and graft too. An absolutely sensational player.

The fact that he went up a level again at Madrid and became one of the 2 or 3 greatest players in history is amazing, but it also had a lot to do with Real being better set up for success in those ensuing years as well as him hitting his absolute prime.

Edit: OK can see I was late with this one and the apology was put in quickly... Still if anything is worth a pile-on, this was.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Guys please, he/she explained themselves.

Anyway, I think Anthony may kick up a fuss. He looks the type.

 

[Daslogisch]

No way can they sell haller for 30m and expect to sell Antony for double.

Absolutely yes way. Antony is a 22 yo potential star. Haller is a 28 yo decent striker that had 1 great CL campaign. If Haller was 22 and had not flopped in PL in the past, Ajax would have asked at least double for him too.

 

[RedRonaldo]

Imagine we spend 80m on FDJ and 69m on Antony.

 

[BrilliantOrange]

I wish Twitter wouldnt exist...

 

[VP89]

Imagine we spend 80m on FDJ and 69m on Antony.

He's not worth a penny over 40 in my opinion. We'll either overpay in some form or he'll force through a move

 

[glasgow 21]

I wish Twitter wouldnt exist...

Please Please, what is wrong with UTD ? why is every transfer played out in a drama on the media ? usually ending up with us being desperate short on time and overpaying. Have we any staff that can actually walk into a room and strike a deal or if not kill it dead and walk away.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Absolutely yes way. Antony is a 22 yo potential star. Haller is a 28 yo decent striker that had 1 great CL campaign. If Haller was 22 and had not flopped in PL in the past, Ajax would have asked at least double for him too.

Yeah sure, potential. No chance is anybody spending that sort of money for potential.

He will need to have a much better season in terms of goals/assists this time around if Ajax want anything close to that.

 

[Daslogisch]

Yeah sure, potential. No chance is anybody spending that sort of money for potential.

He will need to have a much better season in terms of goals/assists this time around if Ajax want anything close to that.

Like Liverpool didn't for Nunez? Like you didn't for Sancho? You spent £80m on a bang average player. The English continent seem to think only PL or English players are worth crazy amounts.

Maybe you're right he needs a more spectacular season to justify this price tag. I can see 80m euro's is OTT right now but the price tag is at that leven because Ajax holds all the leverage. He is a future star on a long term contract and Ajax have no desire to sell. Therefore Ajax wont sell for a reasonable fee. Against a crazy fee Ajax can't say no even though Ajax want to keep him. If he doesn't have that crazy season you mention, we will sell him next year for a more reasonable amount.

If no one is willing to pay 80m now, then all good. Ajax don't want to sell.

 

[Dazzmondo]

Not only is Antony not going to be able to justify £70m, I actually think it would actively put huge pressure on him and make him less likely to succeed. Good to hear Antony is seemingly prepared to try and force this through. Hopefully we can get it down to £40m. £50m is still too high frankly.

 

[Tallis]

I would have concerns paying over £40-45m for Antony. I am a fan but think spending £70m will create issues for us in filling other positions which are more important

 

[Devil_forever]

Not only is Antony not going to be able to justify £70m, I actually think it would actively put huge pressure on him and make him less likely to succeed. Good to hear Antony is seemingly prepared to try and force this through. Hopefully we can get it down to £40m. £50m is still too high frankly.

Exactly, given how much Bayern paid Ajax recently, clubs really do take United for mugs.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

69 for Anthony eh, saucy gets

 

[Becks00]

Like Liverpool didn't for Nunez? Like you didn't for Sancho? You spent £80m on a bang average player. The English continent seem to think only PL or English players are worth crazy amounts.

Maybe you're right he needs a more spectacular season to justify this price tag. I can see 80m euro's is OTT right now but the price tag is at that leven because Ajax holds all the leverage. He is a future star on a long term contract and Ajax have no desire to sell. Therefore Ajax wont sell for a reasonable fee. Against a crazy fee Ajax can't say no even though Ajax want to keep him. If he doesn't have that crazy season you mention, we will sell him next year for a more reasonable amount.

Nunez is coming off an over 26 goals season, Sancho had delivered 20 assists in two consecutive seasons prior to being signed. As much as those players were signed on potential, they were also already delivering on said potential before being signed. Now if Antony was coming off an Nkunku kind of season then Ajax would be justified in asking for a premium. Antony is a good player with potential to be a great one but nothing about what he has produced so far warrants the kind of fees being demanded.

Maguire was a mistake and we would generally like to avoid repeating said mistakes. It's like how United would be justified in demanding a 100m fee for Rashford last summer as he was coming off a good season but wouldn't even get half of that now if he was put up for sale.

 

[Teja]

Guys please, he/she explained themselves.

Anyway, I think Anthony may kick up a fuss. He looks the type.

Hm, we have a pretty good relationship with Ajax - don't think we'll spoil that for a single player.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Like Liverpool didn't for Nunez? Like you didn't for Sancho? You spent £80m on a bang average player. The English continent seem to think only PL or English players are worth crazy amounts.

Maybe you're right he needs a more spectacular season to justify this price tag. I can see 80m euro's is OTT right now but the price tag is at that leven because Ajax holds all the leverage. He is a future star on a long term contract and Ajax have no desire to sell. Therefore Ajax wont sell for a reasonable fee. Against a crazy fee Ajax can't say no even though Ajax want to keep him. If he doesn't have that crazy season you mention, we will sell him next year for a more reasonable amount.

If no one is willing to pay 80m now, then all good. Ajax don't want to sell.

You seem to be arguing against me, then completely agreeing with me all at the same time.

Daslogisch.

 

[Dansk]

Nunez is coming off an over 26 goals season

In fairness, take a look at the list of top scorers throughout the history of the Primeira Liga and see how many of them went on to do great things. In case you're not bothering to do it, literally none of the Portuguese league's top scorers have ever done anything of note since the days of Eusebio. It is not a relevant league, frankly. Meanwhile, although the Eredivisie isn't regarded as one of the great leagues in Europe, its standout players routinely go on to do great things.

Being the top scorer in the Primeira Liga means absolutely nothing whatsoever. None, and I mean none of that league's top scorers have ever become world class in the modern era. Not even one. Genuinely, not so much as a single one. Aside from Benfica, Porto and maybe Sporting at times, that league is on par with the Danish or Swedish leagues. It self-evidently takes almost nothing to score a lot of goals there. The last ten top scorers before Nunez were:

2011–12	Lima	Brazil	Braga	20	30	0.67
2012–13	Jackson Martínez	Colombia	Porto§	26	30	0.87
2013–14	Jackson Martínez (2)	Colombia	Porto	20	30	0.67
2014–15	Jackson Martínez (3)	Colombia	Porto	21	30	0.70
2015–16	Jonas	Brazil	Benfica§	32	34	0.94
2016–17	Bas Dost	Netherlands	Sporting CP	34	31	1.10
2017–18	Jonas (2)	Brazil	Benfica	34	29	1.17
2018–19	Haris Seferovic	Switzerland	Benfica§	23	29	0.79
2019–20	Carlos Vinícius	Brazil	Benfica	18[a]	32	0.59
2019–20	Mehdi Taremi	Iran	Rio Ave	18	30	0.60
2019–20	Pizzi	Portugal	Benfica	18	32	0.59
2020–21	Pedro Gonçalves	Portugal	Sporting CP§	23	32	0.72
2021–22	Darwin Núñez	Uruguay	Benfica	26	28	0.93

None of them ever did anything of note. It counts for nothing. Mind you, Nunez did quite well in the CL and you can tell that he's a good player when you watch him; but as far as being the top scorer of the Portuguese league, that just doesn't matter in the slightest, as we can all see.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

In fairness the Portuguese league is one where something like three matter and the rest are barely even professional. Take a look at the list of top scorers throughout the history of the Primeira Liga and see how many of them went on to do great things. In case you're not bothering to do it, literally none of the Portuguese league's top scorers have ever done anything of note since the days of Eusebio. It is not a relevant league, frankly. Meanwhile, although the Eredivisie isn't regarded as one of the great leagues in Europe, its standout players routinely go on to do great things.

Being the top scorer in the Primeira Liga means absolutely nothing whatsoever. None, and I mean none of that league's top scorers have ever become world class in the modern era. Not even one. Genuinely, not so much as a single one.

ummmmm Falcao ?

Actually scrap that as Hulk scored more than him.

 

[Kaushal]

Guys please, he/she explained themselves.

Anyway, I think Anthony may kick up a fuss. He looks the type.

69 for Anthony eh, saucy gets

It’s started already ffs, just like Athletico - Atletico. Hopefully we get him for around £40-45m max.

 

[Kaos]

Exactly, given how much Bayern paid Ajax recently, clubs really do take United for mugs.

I don't think they do. Their CEO is clearly fond of us, and Bayern's targets are all pretty much on the last year of their contract, whereas Antony still has years left on his and they don't want to sell. So their high fee is understandable.

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

Food for thought -

Antony: 22, 8 goals and 4 assists in Eredivisie for league winners in 1735 minutes, 60/70m
Michael Olise: 20, 2 goals and 5 assists in Premier League's 12th placed side for in 1135 minutes, 35m release clause (allegedly) and counts as home grown

Both are classy youngsters and are left footed right wingers which ETH likes. Both athletic, hard working and very skilful. Antony is further along in his development but, dare I say given our current predicament, Olise might be overall a better deal.

 

[Redcy]

Food for thought -

Antony: 22, 8 goals and 4 assists in Eredivisie for league winners in 1735 minutes, 60/70m
Michael Olise: 20, 2 goals and 5 assists in Premier League's 12th placed side for in 1135 minutes, 35m release clause (allegedly) and counts as home grown

Both are classy youngsters and are left footed right wingers which ETH likes. Both athletic, hard working and very skilful. Antony is further along in his development but, dare I say given our current predicament, Olise might be overall a better deal.

People are complaining about Antony output, Olise would cost us around 45-50m coming from a PL team.

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

People are complaining about Antony output, Olise would cost us around 45-50m coming from a PL team.

It is well documented he has a 35m release clause

 

[ThierryHenry14]

It is well documented he has a 35m release clause

i read he just signed a new contract.

 

[FrankDrebin]

It is well documented he has a 35m release clause

Why aren't United or Arsenal, who're both looking for wingers, making a move on him ?

 

[ThierryHenry14]

Why aren't United or Arsenal, who're both looking for wingers, making a move on him ?

Or may be it is better for him to stay with CP to play regularly for his development?

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Why aren't United or Arsenal, who're both looking for wingers, making a move on him ?

We’re still working on the De Jong deal.

 

[Dazzmondo]

Food for thought -

Antony: 22, 8 goals and 4 assists in Eredivisie for league winners in 1735 minutes, 60/70m
Michael Olise: 20, 2 goals and 5 assists in Premier League's 12th placed side for in 1135 minutes, 35m release clause (allegedly) and counts as home grown

Both are classy youngsters and are left footed right wingers which ETH likes. Both athletic, hard working and very skilful. Antony is further along in his development but, dare I say given our current predicament, Olise might be overall a better deal.

I don't think Olise is quite at Antony's level yet but he's still very talented and if it's a choice of Olise for £35m or Antony for £70m it's a no brainer frankly. Both need to improve their end product big time to make a major impact at a club like Utd.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Or may be it is better for him to stay with CP to play regularly for his development?

You know for a fact that hasn't stopped either club in the past.
And both clubs seem quite intent on building for the future.

 

[BrilliantOrange]

Yeah sure, potential. No chance is anybody spending that sort of money for potential.

He will need to have a much better season in terms of goals/assists this time around if Ajax want anything close to that.

But thats the whole point right.. Ajax doesnt want to lose him, so ofcourse they are mentioning crazy amounts that scare everyone off.. They know they are not getting that, which is the whole point...

 

[WhyYouGottaBeSoRuud?]

I like Antony but if we are prepared to splurged £60m+ on this one then why not Raphinha for a similar price?

 

[Strootman's Finger]

I like Antony but if we are prepared to splurged £60m+ on this one then why not Raphinha for a similar price?

Because Raphinha is 4 years older and his stats are shite.

 

[Adam-Utd]

But thats the whole point right.. Ajax doesnt want to lose him, so ofcourse they are mentioning crazy amounts that scare everyone off.. They know they are not getting that, which is the whole point...

Well sure, but if the player is asking to leave you're making it a very difficult situation.

Anyway we will see how it plays out. I'm just not sure how you can sell your top scorer for a very modest fee, then demand a huge sum for somebody that is just showing potential right now.

 

[Primex]

Why aren't United or Arsenal, who're both looking for wingers, making a move on him ?

because he isn't better than Saka or pellestri,who have proven them with either club or country.
Both clubs have tons of talented winger,what each club need is a player already on the next level raph or Antony.
And yeah both players are equal but Antony would be the better player.
..Olise ..

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

i read he just signed a new contract.

If that has happened, it certainly hasn’t been confirmed. I heard it was close in May but maybe something happened to give Olise second thoughts…

Why aren't United or Arsenal, who're both looking for wingers, making a move on him ?

How do we know they haven’t? Some good sources have indicated that United have serious targets that we’re keeping under wraps. Granted, this isn’t common with modern day United but it does sometimes happen and this is a new transfer negotiation team. Activating a release clause doesn’t require club to club negotiation so should be quicker to agree. Perhaps that’s why Olise hasn’t yet signed the contract he was widely mooted to last month.

I don't think Olise is quite at Antony's level yet but he's still very talented and if it's a choice of Olise for £35m or Antony for £70m it's a no brainer frankly. Both need to improve their end product big time to make a major impact at a club like Utd.

Totally agree. My belief is that we can only really afford/attract one or two ready made players this Summer but, due to the scale of the rebuild I think we need, will need to sign a few raw gems who are cheaper. I’d rather have, say a 5/10 LB who can become 7/10 in 1 year then 8/10 in 2 years as opposed to a 6/10 Telles.

My thinking would be that Eriksen plays in a quasi RW/AM position with Olise developing in rotation or back up to him before Olise being the main man in a year or two.

 

[ThierryHenry14]

You know for a fact that hasn't stopped either club in the past.
And both clubs seem quite intent on building for the future.

We don't know if both clubs get the signal from his camp that he is not interested in sitting on the bench of the big clubs to build for the future. If I were him I will stay, just don't sign a 6 year contract like Harry Kane.

 

[DevilRed]

Please Edwin. Be reasonable now.

 

[Offside]

Nobody latched onto Custis’s exclusive the other day I see. Nobody ever take notice of him again.

 

[croadyman]

Please Please, what is wrong with UTD ? why is every transfer played out in a drama on the media ? usually ending up with us being desperate short on time and overpaying. Have we any staff that can actually walk into a room and strike a deal or if not kill it dead and walk away.

Because unfortunately this club is still obsessed about social media interactions so drag things out for mentions/retweets

 

[Martial'sEmergingSmile]

why does he have world class potential? He is 22 already

22 isn't exactly old, and he's already a regular for Brazil and had some standout games against big opponents in Europe.

As to why...he has a pretty sought after combo of technical ability, a creative mind and raw pace. He also plays with an intensity and aggressiveness that none of our wide options do, as far as his work out of possession and in his eagerness to get on the ball and instantly commit defenders.

This game isn't anything super special. The narrative was actually that Malacia shut him down for most of the match...but it's a good watch because you can see all his attributes here. Far better than some highlight reel of tricks:



He has about 4 comically bad shots in a row at one point. End product is definitely something he needs to improve - but he had 12 goals this season and hit the post 7 (!) times.

He just seems - to me at least - like he's right on the verge of popping off and putting it all together. Sort of like Ronaldo's leap from 05/06 to 06/07...not that I'm saying he's going to come close to the heights of Ronaldo. From memory, I think Ronaldo hit the post a shitload right before his breakout season too.