Revealed: The backup target who Man United agreed terms with before landing Antony

A fresh insight into the work carried out by the transfer team at Premier League Manchester United over the course of the summer has been provided on Monday.

Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils, of course, enjoyed an altogether productive window when it comes to additions.

All told, the Manchester giants reinforced to the tune of six new players, including all of Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.

Without doubt the most high-profile summer arrival at Old Trafford, though, came on transfer deadline day.

On the back of a saga spanning almost the window’s entirety, a record-breaking deal for Ajax star Antony was finally struck, for a fee in the region of €100 million.

Antony, in turn, has since gone on to enjoy the perfect start to life in England, netting on his debut en route to a 3-1 United victory over table-topping Arsenal this weekend.

As alluded to above, though, had the Red Devils’ pursuit of their prime attacking target ultimately proven to be in vein, then a noteworthy contingency plan is understood to have been in place.

As per a report from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the powers that be at Old Trafford had agreed to the personal terms of a contract with another winger currently lighting up the Eredivisie landscape.

The player in question? Cody Gakpo.

Dutch international Gakpo allegedly ‘dreamed’ of linking up with Erik ten Hag’s squad, only to see his wishes dashed at the last.

This came with the 23-year-old, throughout the process, having been viewed as a backup target to first-choice Antony.

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