Antony has made a Liverpool transfer bombshell claim after a strong proposal emerged for the Brazilian to replace Mohamed Salah before he joined Manchester United
15:53, 08 Jun 2026
Antony
Antony was in line to replace Mohamed Salah(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United’s decision to sign Antony has been heavily scrutinized over the years, but the Brazilian has now revealed that Liverpool was also in the running before his move to Old Trafford.
The winger has enjoyed one of the strongest seasons of his career at Real Betis, registering 14 goals and 10 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions and rebuilding his reputation after a difficult spell at United.
In an interview relayed by ESPN Brazil, Antony reflected on his 2022 move from Ajax to England, revealing that while Erik ten Hag and the Reds Devils ultimately secured his signature, it was not the only Premier League club in contention.
Antony has revealed that Liverpool made a concrete offer for his signature before he agreed to join United. The Brazilian said that at the time, then-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was considering attacking reinforcements amid uncertainty over Mohamed Salah’s future, with the Egyptian forward in contract negotiations.
According to Antony, Liverpool was actively preparing for the possibility of a departure, positioning themselves in the race before United secured the deal. “When I went to Manchester United, I had a proposal from Liverpool, from Klopp, on the table,” he said.
“It was also very good. Salah was negotiating a departure, but he ended up staying. Then the manager called me. The name of Manchester United carries weight.”
That detail takes on added significance in hindsight. Salah ultimately committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new contract and continuing as the club’s central attacking figure, while Antony instead followed Ten Hag to Old Trafford in a deal worth around $109 million (£82 million).
Mohamed Salah
Antony's rumored Anfield move came when Salah's future was uncertain in 2022(Image: Getty Images)
Salah would end up staying on Merseyside for four more years, winning another Premier League title among other honors. Salah scored 257 goals in 442 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, but a return of just 12 goals in 41 matches this season signaled a decline in output for the Egypt international.
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A high-profile outburst directed at ex-Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and the club in December fueled speculation that it could be his final campaign at Anfield. Those rumours were ultimately confirmed when Salah announced in March that he would be leaving Liverpool.
Liverpoo is expected to target at least one new forward this summer, with replacing the Egyptian viewed as the Reds' top priority heading into the transfer window. RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande has been identified as Liverpool’s leading candidate to replace Salah at Anfield.
The youngster is coming off a standout debut season in Germany and has already attracted significant interest across Europe, leaving Liverpool facing strong competition for his signature. Diomande has established himself as one of the most promising young attackers on the continent, registering 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances for Leipzig during the 2025/26 campaign.