Before the transfer window opened, it was suggested that Manchester United wanted to sell half the squad.
Following a worst ever Premier League campaign, axeing a large portion of the team wouldn’t have been unreasonable by Ineos.
Manchester United underperformed massively, and change was, and still is, needed during this summer transfer window.
The stance seems to have softened from the higher-ups, however this is likely more down to a lack of interest than anything else. However, United have five players who are set to leave no matter what.
- Alejandro Garnacho
- Antony
- Jadon Sancho
- Marcus Rashford
- Tyrell Malacia
All five have been told to train seperately from their teammates this summer and instead focus on finding themselves a transfer. This, forming United’s very own ‘bomb squad’, mimicking Chelsea’s from last summer.
Now, United have set a lofty price tag on one of these five.
Photo by Alexandra Fechete/MB Media/Getty ImagesManchester United set lofty Antony demand amid Premier League interest
The five players who have been exiled have no futures at Old Trafford for one reason or another, which makes it imperative to find a move.
Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly close to Aston Villa, which is also rumoured to be a loan move for the 21-year-old Argentine. Now, the future of Antony has also had an update.
It comes according to the reliable Brazilian outlet UOL, that United have raised the asking price for Antony.
United are now set to demand a fee of €58m or £50m in order to sell the Brazil international this summer after he revitalised his career on loan with Real Betis during the second half of last season.
Betis have long been frontrunners for Antony, however, this new price tag is almost certainly beyond their means this summer and the UOL report names four other clubs interested in the winger.
In the Premier League, Newcastle United and Brighton were reported to be interested parties in the Brazilian, which would certainly be interesting options for Antony, no matter how unlikely they may seem.
Additionally there is Bundesliga interest in Antony from Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen side along with RB Leipzig. Ten Hag’s hopes of a reunion will have taken a hit after the asking price increase and also the surprise Premier League interest.
£50m for Antony would be a dream for Manchester United
Six months ago, United would likely have accepted £15m for Antony after two disaster seasons in England, however the loan to Spain changed his career trajectory.
Antony could very well fetch close to £50m in this market, as he proved in his time at Betis that he is a very good footballer, just not for United.
Right now, Antony maintains a book value of £34.4m which means receiving £50m would mean a £15.6m profit in terms of his book value which would look excellent for PSR.
This would not only allow United to spend the cash, but also would mean breathing room in PSR terms for Ineos in this new financial window.
Whether or not £50m is realistic remains to be seen, but anywhere close to this would be a massive plus for United.