Marcel Brands thinks that too much money has been paid by Manchester United for Antony. The general manager of PSV mentions the deal in the radio program The Friday Move ‘craziness’, when the subject is raised by presenter Wilfred Genee. According to Brands, United should have gone for Antony’s compatriot Raphinha, who cost considerably less. “I think he’s an even better player.”
Antony’s deal comes up in light of Cody Gakpo’s departure to Liverpool. The transfer of the Eint wizard last winter, PSV raised a maximum of fifty million euros, while Ajax raised no less than a hundred million for Antony that summer. “Would Cody have delivered much more at Ajax?” Genee therefore wonders. “That Antony went for a hundred million and I don’t think Gakpo is much less if I’m honest.”
Brands dare not say it. “If you compare it with transfers that were realistic, such as that of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City to Arsenal: that was also around that rate (52.2 million euros, ed.). Those are normal amounts. I think everyone in the football know that Antony was a madness,” says the director. He then mentions a compatriot of the former Ajax player to underline his point. “I think Raphinha is an even better player than Antony, but he left for much less (for 58 million euros from Leeds United to Barcelona, ed.).”
Although Antony is increasingly asserting himself in English service, his price tag remains a topic of discussion worldwide. Marco van Basten recently expressed his surprise again and stated that he saw more potential in Mohammed Kudus, who currently holds the right wing position at Ajax. Antony was recently very important for United on two occasions in a Europa League context. He made the decisive goal in the diptych with Barcelona and was also crowned match winner against Real Betis (4-1) last Thursday.