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I Almost Joined Liverpool But I'm Officially Man Utd's Most Overpriced Signing Ever

Oct 31, 2026, 6:15 AM GMT

Rob is a Football Writer for GiveMeSport with over 15 years' experience in the industry.

Starting off working for Bradford Bulls Rugby League Club and York City Football Club after graduating with a degree in BA Sports Journalism in 2010, Rob has since worked for the Press Association, The Football League Newspaper and football.london.

At football.london he hosted the Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham podcast and covered Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham at home and abroad.

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Manchester United have had more than their fair share of transfer misses in recent years, with Antony's move to the club one that certainly did not work out.

The Brazilian endured a torrid spell at Old Trafford after initially joining the club in an eye-watering €95m deal back in 2022.

According to Transfermarkt, United overpaid by €60m for the player as they only valued him at €35m at the time of his transfer.

Signed by his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, Antony could not replicate his previous form under the Dutchman and in the end became the club's most overpriced signing ever.

Despite his woes in Manchester, Antony, who is now playing for Spanish side Real Betis, did help the Red Devils claim the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons respectively.

However, when it came to his performances on the pitch, he really struggled to make a telling impact in the final third after only contributing 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances.

Prior to his Manchester United move, the winger was close to signing for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool but a move never materialised.

Now making an impact for Betis in LaLiga, the 26-year-old last year reflected on his time at Manchester United and admitted he "takes responsibility" for it not working out.

Antony opens up on Liverpool transfer interest

Antony during a pre-match warm-up at Real Betis

"Look, I don't think so, because everything has a 'why.' If I went there, it was because God wanted me to be there, to learn and to go through the things I went through," he said in an interview with ESPN Brazil (via Manchester Evening News).

"Today, I feel a much better man as well as a father. Before I signed for United, yes, I was close to signing for Liverpool. Everything has a 'why' and I don't just look at the negative times I had there, because I also won titles and had great experiences.

"So, I don't regret it. I am a man who accepts my responsibilities. I think off-field matters affected me a lot, in my performance. I know my potential, I know my qualities, I didn't play in a World Cup for nothing, I didn't return to the national team for nothing.

"I also take responsibility for it not working out, for not performing as I wanted. But I always try to see the bright side of things, going through this entire process, this time at United, was necessary to see myself."

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Manchester United's record transfer buys (via Transfermarkt)

Player

Transfer fee

Market value

Overpaid

Paul Pogba

€105m

€70m

€35m

Antony

€95m

€35m

€60m

Harry Maguire

€87m

€50m

€37m

Jadon Sancho

€85m

€100m

-€15m

Romelu Lukaku

€85m

€50m

€30m

Tipped as a potential Salah successor

antony man utd

Antony's Premier League career may have panned out very different had he sealed a switch to Liverpool rather than Manchester United.

Linked with a move to the Reds at the time with question marks over Mohamed Salah signing a new contract, in the end the Egyptian penned fresh terms at Anfield and Antony instead headed to Old Trafford.

The opportunity to work under Klopp rather than Ten Hag again may have worked out better for the Brazilian but unfortunately that is one thing we will never know.

In a previous interview with Koora, Antony said: “It's true. I was very close to signing for Liverpool, but nobody knows what would have happened. In the end, I went to Manchester United, I lived great moments there and it was a good choice too.

"Salah is an incredible player and he has been doing extraordinary things for a long time. He is an exceptional footballer. I don't know if he is the best in the world at the moment, but he is certainly among the best and is seriously competing for the Ballon d'Or.”

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