By GETHIN HICKS
Published: | Updated:
Antony is reportedly attracting interest from two Saudi Pro League clubs as the Manchester United outcast tries to find himself a move this summer.
The Brazilian, 25, endured a difficult period at Old Trafford after signing from Ajax in an £86million deal in 2022.
He left the club in January on loan to LaLiga club Real Betis, where he enjoyed something of a renaissance, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 26 appearances.
The successful stint has left a number of clubs interested in Antony this summer, with the winger free to find himself a move away from United after losing the trust of Ruben Amorim.
Two Saudi Arabian sides are thought to be interested, with Antony reportedly open to a move to the Middle East.
But the former Sao Paulo man’s preference is stay in Europe after Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich reportedly registered their interest.
Antony is reportedly attracting interest from two Saudi Pro League clubs this summer
The Brazilian impressed while on loan at Real Betis during the second half of last season
A return to Real Betis is thought to be unrealistic at this stage.
Manchester United – who are looking to sell Antony on a permanent basis – are yet to have received any formal bids for the player despite Bayer Leverkusen and Betis contacting them earlier in the window.
A move to Leverkusen would have seen the Brazilian, who is part of United’s five-player ‘bomb squad’, reunite with former United coach Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman, who scooped the Leverkusen job after Xabi Alonso’s exit, previously signed Antony on two occasions – bringing him to Ajax from Sao Paulo in 2020 and then to United in 2022.
But Ten Hag seemingly ruled out a move for the left-footer in an interview last week, saying the German club are ‘not interested’.
‘He has great quality,’ the 55-year-old said, ‘I signed him twice. He was like a son to me, he still is a son to me.
‘We’re not interested in him at the moment, but we’ll see what happens in the future.’
During his three years at United, Antony made 96 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists.
Erik ten Hag’s new club Bayer Leverkusen were thought to be interested in him earlier in the window
But Ten Hag later revealed they’re not in for Antony, despite admitting he’s ‘like a son to him’
Antony’s United spell turned sour, with the Brazilian languishing on the bench under Ruben Amorim
The stats read poorly for a player signed for a whopping £86million back in the summer of 2022, with United fans then eagerly awaiting his arrival.
His United spell started well as Antony netted in his first three appearances against Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City.
He also bagged a crucial goal during his first season during a fixture at Old Trafford against Barcelona, firing home a volley with his left foot.
But things turned sour rather quickly, with the winger ultimately left languishing on the bench under both Ten Hag and later Ruben Amorim in his second and third seasons.
He now looks set to leave the English giants for good.
