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Arsenal set transfer TRAP for Man Utd: Arteta to blame for Red Devils’ most infamous deal
Robin Bairner
- 5 Jun 2025 14:30 BST
- 4 min read
News
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta had an unwitting hand in forcing Manchester United in the worst transfer deal of the history of the Old Trafford side, according to a sensational report.
Antony’s move from Ajax to Man Utd in 2022 has gone down in infamy. It has been claimed that it was a deal that Erik ten Hag wanted, but according to a source in the Netherlands, the former Old Trafford supremo actually tried to stop the Red Devils from signing his former protégé in Amsterdam.
The revelation has been made by Kees Vos, co-founder of the Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) and Ten Hag's agent, says in the book ‘Liverpool en de Nederlanders’, written by Viaplay and Rijnmond presenter Bart Nolles.
Current ETV
Antony
M, AM (R)
Real Betis
Antony
M, AM (R)
Real Betis
ETV Range
€21.4M - €26.2M
"Ten Hag was not in favour of this and wanted to block the transfer," he it is claimed in quotes relayed by FCUpdate.
"But the club wanted to push through the move at all costs because Arsenal were also showing interest in Antony. This created a significant risk of a stronger competitor.
"In the end, Manchester United paid almost €100 million for Antony. Although Ten Hag did not support this transfer, it stuck with him throughout his time in Manchester that he signed Ajax's attacker for this outrageous sum — a player who has never been able to live up to his promise."
Gunners lure Chelsea into Mudryk trap
Arsenal’s very threat prompted United to pay over the odds for Antony is a move that echoed Chelsea’s decision to outbid the Gunners for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk later that same season.
Mikel Arteta’s side seemed to be in command of the race to sign the Ukraine international until the Blues took an interest and paid a fee well over the odds for the player.
Like Antony, Mudryk has flopped badly in the Premier League and currently faces an uncertain future given that he is serving a provisional ban for taking a Performance Enhancing Drug.
The common theme in both deals? Arteta making a rival pay over the odds for a sub-standard player.
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