Jordi Cruyff, the former sporting director of Barcelona, has revealed that he attempted to sign a former Manchester United player during his tenure at the club.
Jordi Cruyff has revealed that he attempted to bring a former Manchester United player to Barcelona while serving as the club’s sporting director. The son of Johan Cruyff and a former United midfielder himself, he returned to the Camp Nou in 2022 during one of the most turbulent periods in the club’s modern history. Appointed amid a financial crisis that included more than £1.15bn in debt and the aftermath of Lionel Messi’s departure, Cruyff faced tight constraints that shaped every transfer decision.
Speaking on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast alongside former teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, Cruyff explained the complexity of Barcelona’s recruitment strategy in that era. He disclosed that the club seriously considered signing Antony from Ajax before Manchester United eventually completed their £82m move for the Brazilian. Antony, now at Real Betis, was viewed as a viable option alongside compatriot Raphinha.
Cruyff discusses Barcelona’s transfer interest in Antony
Cruyff recalled that Barcelona were in the market for a winger and had narrowed their shortlist to Antony and Raphinha. However, financial restrictions and Fair Play regulations meant the club had to analyse every signing with potential resale value in mind. Antony’s eventual transfer fee to United far exceeded expectations, and Cruyff said Barcelona believed that if the Brazilian succeeded in the Premier League, they would always retain the possibility of selling him back to England should things not work out in Spain.
He emphasised that both players were thoroughly evaluated, adding that Antony appealed stylistically and fit the profile the club traditionally sought in wide forwards. Cruyff described him as a “special player,” noting his strong performances now at Betis. Yet he also admitted that Barcelona hesitated because investing heavily in a player arriving directly from the Dutch league carried greater financial risk if adaptation issues arose.
Why Barcelona ultimately signed Raphinha instead
While Manchester United moved decisively for Antony on deadline day in 2022 — reuniting him with Erik ten Hag — Barcelona pivoted toward Raphinha, completing a deal worth up to £55m with Leeds United. Antony, meanwhile, struggled to meet the expectations attached to his £82m fee at Old Trafford. Cruyff reiterated that Barcelona’s caution came from experience: signing a player from Holland without guaranteed resale prospects presented too much uncertainty amid the club’s fragile financial state.
In the end, Barcelona opted for the path with less financial risk, leaving Antony to complete his high-profile Premier League switch and Raphinha to take his place at the Camp Nou.
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