How Close Was Antony To Joining Manchester United's Biggest Rivals?

Laila Abdi

4 min read

Post on May 23, 2025

4.4

Share

The Arsenal Connection

Before Antony ultimately signed for Manchester United, credible reports linked him strongly with Arsenal. The Gunners, needing a wide player with pace and trickery, saw Antony as a potential solution to their attacking woes.

• June 2022: Early reports in several British tabloids suggested Arsenal had made initial contact with Ajax regarding Antony's availability.
• July-August 2022: Speculation intensified, with reported bids ranging from £30 million to £40 million. Sources varied, from reputable football journalists to unnamed insiders within both clubs.
• Obstacles: While Arsenal undoubtedly admired Antony's skillset, several factors likely hampered their pursuit. Their transfer budget might have been stretched following other signings, and Arsenal's failure to qualify for the Champions League could have made them less attractive to a player of Antony's calibre. Furthermore, Antony may have already harbored a preference for a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

Arsenal's need for a winger was evident, and Antony's profile – a direct, skillful dribbler – would have seemingly fit their system perfectly. However, the move never materialized, leaving the door open for other suitors, including Manchester United.

Liverpool's Interest (if applicable):

While less prominent than the Arsenal link, some reports hinted at a fleeting interest from Liverpool. However, concrete evidence of substantial negotiations or formal bids remains scarce.

• Limited Reporting: News outlets mentioned Liverpool's scouting team monitoring Antony's performances, but this level of interest wasn't accompanied by reports of serious transfer bids.
• Competition for Wingers: Liverpool already possessed a wealth of attacking talent in their squad, potentially lessening the urgency for a player like Antony. Their focus might have been on other areas of the team.
• Strategic Fit?: While Antony's flair would be undeniable, whether he would have seamlessly integrated into Jürgen Klopp’s high-pressing, counter-attacking system is debatable. This might have been a key factor dissuading a more concrete pursuit.

The lack of substantial reporting regarding a Liverpool bid suggests that any interest, if it existed, remained at a preliminary stage.

Other Potential Rivals

Other top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester City, were occasionally mentioned in connection with Antony. However, these links lacked the same level of substance and credibility as the Arsenal rumors. These clubs' existing attacking options, differing transfer strategies, and the overall narrative surrounding the Antony transfer focused largely on Arsenal and Manchester United. Therefore, these less significant links are not explored in greater depth here.

Why Manchester United Eventually Won the Race

Ultimately, Manchester United secured Antony's signature. Several factors contributed to their success:

• Erik ten Hag's Influence: The reunion with his former Ajax manager, Erik ten Hag, played a crucial role. Ten Hag's tactical system perfectly suited Antony's abilities, promising consistent game time and a familiar environment.
• Financial Muscle: Manchester United's financial power allowed them to meet Ajax's valuation of the player, presenting a compelling financial package.
• Ambition and Project: The club's ambition to rebuild under Ten Hag, coupled with the promise of competing for major honors, undoubtedly appealed to Antony.
• Personal Preferences: While not explicitly confirmed, it's plausible Antony’s personal preferences ultimately pointed towards Manchester, driven by the familiarity with Ten Hag and the allure of playing for such a prestigious club.

The combination of these elements solidified Manchester United's position as the frontrunners, making them the most attractive destination for the talented Brazilian winger.

Conclusion

The transfer saga surrounding Antony highlights a fascinating near miss for some of Manchester United's biggest rivals. While Arsenal demonstrated significant interest and initiated negotiations, various factors, including budget constraints and Antony's preference for a reunion with Ten Hag, ultimately led to Manchester United winning the race. Liverpool's interest, if it existed, remained largely speculative. The key takeaways are clear: the manager's influence, the club's financial resources and ambition, and the player's personal preferences all played pivotal roles in shaping the outcome. Do you think Antony made the right choice joining Manchester United, or could he have thrived with a different Premier League giant? Share your thoughts and share this article on social media using #Antony #ManUtd #PremierLeague #Transfers!