27 Aug 2022 08:45:45
Antony is a gifted player with a high ceiling. However, no one will offer even close to the offer we have just had rejected, not this summer or next.

The club should probably go back to Ajax one more time with the same offer, but with a 24 hour time limit in a take it or leave it.

If it's rejected again then the club should walk away. Frankly the fee is getting absolutely ridiculous now and the club need to make a stand to avoid being ripped off for every transfer going forward.

Ajax simply won't get a better offer than the one we have made. Make them aware that if they reject it again we won't be back and will move on to other targets.

Marco Asensio isn't a sexy name, and no doubt us fans will get bantered by opposition fans of we sign him. Yet I'd argue his current level is equal to Antony's if not a shade higher. Where Antony beats him in is potential. But is potential really worth a 60m gamble.

Asensio could come in for a few years and offer a quality option while the likes of Garnacho and co develop without completely blocking their pathway.

Transfers aren't just about who you get in or move on, it's about setting a standard. If we allow ourselves to be pushed around and made to look like amateurs then that is how every club will treat us moving forward. While only a fool would not appreciate that the fee carries a toll on the player in terms of pressure and expectations placed on them.

Paying above market fees for players just loads pressure on them and sets them up to fail. Especially in England with the UK media.

At some point we have to accept that it isn't the right way to do business, and that walking away from bad deals is a sign of strength and not weakness.

1.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 09:30:38
I agree Shappy, go back one more time, particularly after his interview, and say this is it, take it or we go elsewhere. I think they will get him now.

2.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 11:14:47
Shappy, they rejected our last offer in about 5 minutes, don't know what a 24 hour time limit would achieve. All joking aside, you are right. If we ever want to change our perception as a club you can mug every time we want one of your players, we need to walk away ASAP.

I would nearly be happy for the plethora of young right wingers to be given a season as back up option.

3.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 11:47:45
Mumbles, I think we need another wide option personally, but if push comes to shove then we shouldn't be held to ransom when we have a top talent like Garnacho in our ranks.

I think we are light on the right wing, with only Sancho proven in that position. While Amad and Pellistri haven't shown they are capable of putting in the sort of performances we need, not even inconsistently.

That said there are other talented left footed RW players if being left footed is vital for EtH.

Pedro Neto has EPL experience, Moussa Diaby has been quietly excellent for Leverkusen. While Michael Olise could be a very savvy purchase from Palace. Only 20, showed great promise last season. Two goals and 5 assists for a 19 year old in his first season in the EPL for Palace in around 1100 minutes of football is a great record.

Put him in a more ball dominant, attacking side with more quality around him and he could flourish.

Could possibly do a deal with AWB going the other way if the rumoured interest from Palace in AWB is true.

4.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 11:47:57
Are you mental shappy? Asensio at a similar level to Antony? ?.

5.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 12:01:15
What happened to the managers choice should be supported.
The reality is you don't want to sign Antony for whatever reason so you flip flop.
The price is so high because the manager has stated as much. Plus ajax have lost a lot of key personnel to us on particular and others and they don't need to sell.
What happened to your previous lecture of not signing players the manager does not want.
You only have that lecture the other day.
Please come on.

6.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 12:31:08
Ken, the manager should be backed as much as possible. But at some point common sense must prevail.

If Ajax said Antony would cost 200m should the club sign him because he's the manager's choice?

The club have offered a more than fair offer for the player. There has the be a price at which the club walks away. No one else would come even close to matching what we have offered.

7.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 12:33:17
RedWhiskey, I'd argue that Asensio has performed more often at a higher level than what we have seen from Antony.

Asensio has probably peaked and won't get much better as a player, Antony has potential but he had not yet performed at the level that Asensio has for the length bof time Asensio has.

8.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 13:30:15
Their a couple of million apart shappy stop with the 200m hyperbole.
Who are you to determine what a fair price is?
Just stop and think about what you posted yesterday before arguing the opposite the next day.
You don't want Antony so you are looking for reasons to criticise its simple as that. You do it all the day.

9.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 13:59:43
When has asensio ever played at a high level? He's always been a bit part player at Madrid. Wouldn't touch him with a ten foot barge pole.

10.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 14:31:05
Sorry, did you just say we are a more ball dominant team than someone?! Hahahahahahhahzhah!1!

11.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 14:47:58
Can Antony play as a striker, cause we might need one.

12.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 14:56:00
We should of pulled at $40k.

13.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 14:47:58
Can Antony play as a striker, cause we might need one.

14.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 16:17:41
I think having antiny gives eth options with rashford, martial and sancho and an added dimension to our set up for different opponents.

I hope they get him in and curious to see how he does.

15.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 16:46:47
Asensio hardly starts for Madrid and has been a bench player for 3 years.
Comparing Antony to him is nuts.

Antony knows the setup of Ten Hag and would adapt to the style quicker than others.

Our squad is crying out for a Right winger like him who can cut in and shoot and put in quality crosses.

16.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 17:34:36
If sancho is worth 70 million then Antony is a bargain at 90!
Sancho typical English player in the media, massively overhyped!
Neat and tidy but no bite, can’t beat a man with pace and is weak and timid when it comes to defensive work! Dortmund well and truly had us there!

17.) 27 Aug 2022
27 Aug 2022 21:42:51
Chris, Sancho wasn't worth 70m though was he. He was probably worth around 50m at most. Certainly no one else would have paid more than 50m for him last summer.

Thing is, Antony's current level probably isn't yet at the same level Sancho's was last summer when we signed him.