Manchester United chose to spend €100m on Antony instead of 26-goal star – All because of Ronaldo
Because Cristiano Ronaldo was still with the team, Manchester United decided to invest €100 million on Antony rather than on Napoli star Victor Osimhen last summer.
According to journalist Ciro Venerato, if Ronaldo had left Manchester United last summer rather than right before the World Cup, they might have had the striker they’ve been searching for.
After spending a couple of seasons playing at the highest level in the Netherlands while being coached by Erik ten Hag, Antony moved from Ajax to Old Trafford last summer.
He hasn’t fully repaid Manchester United for the sum they spent for him, having so far only displayed glimpses of that form throughout his stay in England.
Osimhen, meantime, has continued to advance into one of the top attackers in Europe while playing for Serie A champions Napoli. In 31 appearances across all competitions, Osimhen has scored 26 goals and provided five assists.
Several major European teams are rumored to be interested in signing him during the summer transfer window as they all aim to bolster their squads with an elite class striker.
One of them is Manchester United, although Venerato claims that if it weren’t for Ronaldo’s presence at the team, he could have left last summer.
“Napoli has no desire and is in no hurry to give him (Osimhen) away because they have a thriving balance sheet and, therefore, have no need to raise cash,” he claimed.
“The player and his entourage could exert pressure; there will be a major auction because the best European clubs like him. De Laurentiis would like to sell it for €150 million if he were truly had to give it away. De Laurentiis will attempt to prevent him for at least a year by raising Osimhen’s pay and possibly making an exception to the strict salary ceiling restriction.
“However, it is likely that De Laurentiis will also be able to satisfy Osimhen if the correct offer comes in from a technical and economic perspective.
Bayern Munich favors him without a doubt. Chelsea were present when Potter was in charge; it is now important to determine who will lead Chelsea and whether the Blues still desire Osimhen. Osimhen would undoubtedly come to mind if PSG were to part with some prominent players. Although I’m positive Real Madrid made a few calls to the entourage, they still have Benzema.
“Manchester United chose to pay €100 million on Antony after already following him the previous year. But Mendes, who had suggested Ronaldo to Napoli with a salary almost totally covered by United and a cash payment of €100 million for Osimhen, heard about it from him.
“Therefore, nothing was accomplished since Napoli was not willing to part with Osimhen and, more importantly, Ronaldo. United must be counted among the teams on Osimhen, though. Everything is out in the open, but neither side conceals the potential of saying goodbye.