2 years ago
This summer, Man United is committed to adding a new right-winger, and Antony is at the top of their list.
In the summer of 2023, Serge Gnabry's contract with Bayern Munich expires.
Nobody in their wildest thoughts would have predicted that Manchester United would still be looking for a right-winger nearly a year after finalizing the acquisition of Jadon Sancho.
However, with only six weeks till the start of the 2022–23 Premier League season, United are once again in the same predicament.The team has struggled in this area for a number of years, and Sancho's signing was intended to put a stop to the issue.
However, the England international's most impressive displays during a forgettable first season at Old Trafford were on the left flank, thus United is still no closer to figuring out this specific conundrum. One of the main goals of the Reds' new manager Erik ten Hag, who hasn't made his first signing as their head coach, is to strengthen this area of the team. He's identified Ajax star Antony as the answer.
Since moving to Ajax from Sao Paulo in 2020, the 22-year-old Brazilian, who is gifted with a wand of a left foot and silky talents, has gone from strength to strength,making a name for himself as one of the most in-demand wingers in European sport. He was superb last season, contributing to Ajax's third and final Eredivisie championship during the trophy-laden 10 Hag period with ten assists and 12 goals.
However, even if Antony is said to be licking his lips at the thought of joining United, a deal may not be as easy for the Reds to complete. Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch, both of whom left Ajax for Bayern Munich this summer, were crucial players who were lost, and United's interest in bringing Jurrien Timber to Old Trafford is not going away any time soon.
United should consequently weigh their alternatives while attempting to improve this area of the field. The importance of having a backup plan in case Plan A doesn't work is crucial. It's all well and good to have a primary target in mind.
Serge Gnabry of Bayern Munich may be the best option available to United. The German club was obliged to acknowledge that they might have to sell him this summer in order to avert the risk of losing him for free in a year from now when his contract at the Allianz Arena expires in the summer of 2023 due to failed negotiations over a new deal.
Hasan Salihamidzic, the sporting director at Bayern Munich, stated: "We genuinely want to keep him. We would adore to grow old together. I believe we gave him the proper appreciation. I hope he selects FC Bayern.
"Over the next weeks, we will step up the conversation. But if a player doesn't want to make a decision for the team, they should let us know so that we can come up with a solution that pleases everyone."
For Bayern Munich, Serge Gnabry has recently grown stronger and stronger.
Gnabry has developed into one of the best wingers in the world in recent years since joining Bayern from Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen in 2017. This is despite the fact that Tony Pulis famously ignored him during a loan spell at West Bromwich Albion just seven years ago. He has made 171 appearances for the team, scoring 64 goals and accumulating 40 assists, making him one of their most reliable players in recent years.
He has also consistently performed well at the international level, as evidenced by his tally of 20 goals and 8 assists in his 34 appearances for Germany. At the age of 26, it might be claimed that he is still developing as a football star.
He is quick, skilled, direct, and full of running, just like Antony. A seasoned goal scorer, he has netted 17, 11 and 23 goals during his last three seasons with Bayern.
Gnabry might therefore be the perfect fit for United if they want to try and lessen Cristiano Ronaldo's goal-scoring load this upcoming season, especially if his contractual position makes him potentially available in a transfer at a discount. At this point in his contract, it is impossible to forecast what Bayern would deem an acceptable price.
Sadio Mane, a former Liverpool player, has recently moved to the Allianz Arena, which may make Gnabry even less eager to sign a new contract given that he is now another option in a star-studded forward line alongside Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane.United must continue to their initial plan to try to get Antony to Old Trafford, just as they are doing with Frenkie de Jong, but Gnabry is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
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