If Antony is one of many Manchester United players fighting for his future ahead of the first summer under Ineos control, then no one could accuse the much-maligned Brazilian of shirking the challenge.
That rather unseemly Coventry City flashpoint aside, the former Ajax winger has found some form at last. Some pretty timely form, too.
Antony, his Manchester United career seemingly destined to end with a whimper a few weeks ago, scored the late equaliser in that FA Cup triumph over Liverpool, provided one of the assists of the season against Chelsea, and then ended his long Premier League drought with a very well-taken finish vs Burnley on Saturday.
This might not be enough to see Antony avoid the axe, especially with Manchester United eyeing a number of potential replacements. But at least, if he does go, he will leave having imparted a few happier memories into the minds of those Man United supporters.
Manchester United’s Antony replacement?
Michael Olise, the United-mad Crystal Palace schemer, appears to be United’s first-choice right-wing target. Per The Standard, Olise is very highly regarded at Ineos, has a release clause in his contract, and would choose his beloved Red Devilsover their Premier League rivals.
Olise, however, is not the only option. United have scouted Club Brugge starlet Antonio Nusa too, they like Wolves’ Pedro Neto, and also have an interest in Johan Bakayoko of PSV Eindhoven (Sport1).
Of course, replacing Antony with another Eredivisie wideman may seem a little counter-productive, to some. But if Bakayoko can be moreLisandro Martinez or Ruud van Nistelrooy than Antony or Memphis Depay, a man who has 13 goals and 14 assists this season for Eredivisie champions-elect PSV could yet prove to be an inspired acquisition.
But how much will Bakayoko cost? Less than Antony, certainly, but also a fair bit more than the £30 million Brentford reportedly offered in the summer of 2023.
“It depends on whether he is going to make a step (forwards). The question is also which club will come?,” Marcel Brands, PSV’s chief executive, tells ESPN.
“We have just talked about very big clubs. If such a club comes, will you say no? We will no longer (sell Bakayoko) for 35 million euros.”
Johan Bakayoko in sparkling PSV form
Antony, in his final Eredivisie campaign, managed a rather underwhelming eight goals and four assists. Bakayoko, who is also far quicker across the ground and more unpredictable than the very one-footed Brazilian, has bettered both of those tallies comfortably as PSV cruise towards the title.
“At the beginning of 2021, Johan was not doing well,” Gerard Witters, Bakayoko’s agent, tells Het Nieuwsblad. “But after he got his new contract, everything changed.
“He started to boost his stats and his games were phenomenal. The club has told me that Johan is already better than they initially thought he would be.
“Before, he sometimes played like a crazy dog. He had great qualities and was very explosive, but he produced poor crosses and took shots when they were not the best option.
“Now, he knows a lot more what he’s going to do. And defenders can’t stop him anymore, despite the fact that he always does the same movement (cutting inside and shooting).”
