Manchester United made enquiry for £60m Chelsea target before upping Antony offer
Posted by  badge Boss on Aug 30, 2022 - 02:08AM
The Red Devils nearly went head-to-head with Chelsea in the market (Pictures: Getty)

and could have spent the final few days of the transfer window battling to sign the same player – though the Red Devils ultimately decided to pay up for winger Antony instead.

Erik ten Hag has been desperate to add a new attacker to his squad and convinced the club’s hierarchy to fork out €95million plus a further €5m in add-ons on Antony – taking the total value of the deal to £85m.

For months Ajax had been adamant that Antony was not for sale, but United’s latest offer – which was made over the weekend – has been deemed too good to turn down and the Brazilian is set to fly to Manchester on Monday for a medical.

However, when the deal was looking rather less promising, it appears United’s hierarchy explored the possibility of signing a different winger instead.

According to , United made a ‘late check’ on the availability of Everton starlet Anthony Gordon, who has been the subject of three unsuccessful bids from Chelsea.

Thomas Tuchel is eager to add the 21-year-old to his ranks before the window closes and the west Londoners’ most recent offer is believed to have reached £60m, while there have also been suggestions that players – such as Conor Gallagher – were offered as potential makeweights.

United’s scouts have also been impressed with Gordon’s performances and felt he could be a cheaper alternative to Antony, though it quickly became apparent that Everton would drive just as hard a price as Ajax.

Gordon was on the scoresheet against Brentford (Picture: Getty)

Unfortunately for Chelsea, claim the chances of Gordon leaving Goodison Park at all before the window closes are now thought to be ‘slim’.

The two sides are still a long way apart on their valuation of the England Under-21 international and Tuchel may need to consider a last-minute alternative, or rely on the players already at his disposal.

Interestingly, Tottenham also enquired about Gordon when negotiating a deal for Richarlison but balked at Everton’s asking price, having valued the winger at closer to £30m.

Gordon gave an impressive display against Brentford on Saturday in the Premier League, netting Everton’s only goal in a 1-1 draw, and manager Frank Lampard was full of praise for a player he expects to hold on to.

‘He’s a level of player at 21 years of age, with what he showed last year, everyone is talking about and clubs are interested in him, and have had a nibble at him,’ said the Everton boss.

‘But he’s our player so I don’t come away from today thinking, “Oh dear that’s made someone keen to pay more millions for him”. I come away thinking, “He’s an Everton player and I want him to stay.” Simple.’

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