Manchester United are allegedly lining up a swap deal involving Antony and Flamengo striker Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa though Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola is convinced there is no truth to such claims.
As one of the most reliable reporters in Brazilian football, Jorge Nicola’s word carries plenty of weight amid suggestions that Manchester United’s much-maligned winger could be packing his bags and heading back to South America in the new year.
According to The Mirror, United are willing to send Antony on loan to Flamengo, with Gabriel Barbosa heading in the other direction.
But, speaking on his official YouTube channel, Nicola is quick to play down such claims, even if he is yet to hear back from Junior Pedroso after contacting Antony’s agent for comment.
Manchester United linked with Antony swap deal
“I thought the (reports of a swap) were very strange in every way,” Nicola explains.
“Firstly, because Gabigol is 27 and Antony is only 23. Then, because Gabigol is valued at 20 million euros and Antony was brought in for 100 million euros. Completely different figures.”
Once of Inter Milan and Benfica and a target for West Ham back in 2020, Gabriel Barbosa isn’t exactly living up to his ‘Gabigol’ nickname at present.
The striker has only five goals in 23 Brazilian Serie A games this season, form which doesn’t exactly suggest that he could be the solution to Manchester United’s attacking woes.
“The only thing that is similar is that Gabigol (is struggling for goals). Antony has gone 11 without a goal since the beginning of the season,” Nicola adds.
“If I were a Flamengo fan, I wouldn’t buy into this story. I wouldn’t bet my money on it. It doesn’t seem to make sense, even if Manchester United do need a striker to score goals.”
Antony was ineffective once again as United broke a run of successive 3-0 defeats on Saturday, Bruno Fernandes producing a ‘captain’s goal’ in stoppage time away at Fulham.
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