Man Utd outcast Antony linked with new club who will pay full asking price

Manchester United’s turbulent summer of transfers looks set to continue, with winger Antony now strongly linked with a permanent move away from Old Trafford. The Brazilian has struggled to establish himself in England since his record-breaking transfer from Ajax, but a new opportunity appears to be opening up — one that could finally bring an end to his frustrating spell in Manchester.

Signed in 2022 for a staggering £86 million, Antony arrived with the weight of huge expectations. United fans hoped he would become the dazzling wide man who could unlock stubborn defences, much like he had done under Erik ten Hag in the Netherlands. However, three years on, his return of just five goals and three assists in 62 Premier League appearances paints a disappointing picture of his time in the red shirt.

Ruben Amorim’s appointment as manager earlier this year seemed to signal the end for Antony at United. The Portuguese coach has reshaped the squad with new attacking options and wasted little time in freezing the winger out of first-team contention. That decision eventually led to Antony being loaned out to Real Betis last season — a move that unexpectedly revived his career.

In Spain, Antony rediscovered some of the form that once made him a hot property in Europe. He notched nine goals and five assists across La Liga and the UEFA Conference League, instantly becoming a fan favourite at the Benito Villamarín. His dazzling displays helped Betis reach the Conference League final, where they ultimately fell short against Chelsea. Despite the heartbreak, Antony’s stock had risen again.

With United now actively looking to cash in, Betis have expressed a strong desire to keep him permanently. However, they face stiff competition. According to reports in Spain and Brazil, Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr were monitoring his situation, while Turkish giants Fenerbahce have dramatically entered the race.

What makes Fenerbahce’s interest particularly intriguing is their manager — none other than José Mourinho, the former Manchester United boss. Mourinho knows the pressures of Old Trafford better than most, and sources suggest he sees Antony as a player who can rediscover his best under his guidance. Importantly, reports indicate that Fenerbahce are willing to pay United’s full asking price of €45 million (£39m), a figure Betis and other suitors have so far hesitated to meet.

For United, the timing could not be better. The Red Devils have been aggressive in the transfer market this summer, signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško to bolster Amorim’s attacking options. Offloading Antony at a respectable fee would provide much-needed funds to balance the books after their spending spree.

The prospect of reuniting with Mourinho in Turkey is also appealing from Antony’s perspective. Having endured criticism and pressure in England, he may relish the chance to work under a manager famed for protecting his players and drawing the best out of controversial talents. A fresh environment, away from the relentless spotlight of the Premier League, could allow him to play with the freedom he showed at Ajax and more recently at Betis.

Still, Antony himself has remained coy about his future. Speaking after Betis’ Conference League final defeat, he admitted: “I don’t know what will happen in the future; only God knows. My work is playing, and I’m doing that well. I have a lot of affection for Betis, but I have a contract with Manchester United. I’m very happy here, but we will see what happens.” Those words have only fuelled speculation about where he will be playing when the new season begins.

For United fans, Antony’s story is one of unfulfilled potential — a marquee signing who never quite lived up to the hype in the Premier League. Yet, with Fenerbahce seemingly prepared to pay the price United want, the Brazilian could soon have the chance to reignite his career abroad. And for Amorim, it would represent another decisive step in reshaping the squad in his own image as he looks to guide United back to the top after last season’s struggles.

The coming weeks will be decisive. Will Antony follow Mourinho to Turkey in search of redemption, or will Betis make a late push to keep their star man in Spain? One thing is certain — his future no longer lies at Old Trafford, and Manchester United are ready to move on