PSV Eindhoven chief describes Manchester United deal for attacker as ‘madness’

PSV Eindhoven chief Marcel Brands has described the fee Manchester United paid for Antony as “madness”.

Manchester United signed Antony from Ajax last summer for £86million after protracted negotiations. The Red Devils initially refused to meet Ajax’s valuation, before being forced to pay even more due to the limited time left in the market.

“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,” he told Voetbalprimeur. “Those are normal amounts. I think everyone in football knows that Antony was a madness.

“I think Raphinha [who joined Barcelona for around £55million] is an even better player than Antony, but he left for much less.”