Like a new signing to sell him
Said somewhat in jest I know, but to get him off the books wouldn’t be far off the feeling of an exciting new signing. He is representative of all that was wrong with United’s transfer approach and club culture in recent seasons, and to part ways with him would brilliantly draw a line under that era.
Getting a decent fee for him would just be the icing on the cake. Recent reports say we are asking 50m, and by integrating him into pre-season, making a small show of the fact he’s apologised, and giving him minutes only strengthens our hand in negotiations. I would happily take 30m for him, but believe Ashworth and co have put us in a position to get more like 40-45m. Which would be excellent, given the circumstances.
Given PSG have apparently agreed terms with his agent, and we’ve done the same for Ugarte, it’s difficult not to see a world in which these two deals don’t get done over the next couple of weeks for a virtual zero net cost to either club. Two separate deals but essentially a swap in terms of value. Would suit both clubs well, and for United address an area of glaring weakness, while likely lowering overall payroll by 150-200k per week.
If we could somehow find a season long loan option for Antony that covered his 70k base wage in full, hence moving them both out for the 24-25 campaign and potentially putting Antony in the shop window for next summer; and use the savings to bring in another versatile winger…..I’d be in football manager wet dream territory. Nico Williams is the dream, but that’s only happening next summer at best, assuming we have a great campaign and secure CL football at least (and even then might be a pipe dream).
But there are other options on the market. Bayern were asking 42m pounds for Coman at the start of the summer. At 35m, as a rotation player, that’s a deal which is quite attractive to me. Despite his questionable fitness record, he’d offer so much more than Antony ever will. His age (28) and price (likely plus 40) would probably rule it out, but I’d have enormous faith in Ashworth and co to move on an affordable target that fit their age and potential criteria, if they were able to get both Sancho and Antony out. I bet they have a list of potential targets for that position already.