Soccer Football - Conference League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Fiorentina v Real Betis - Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy - May 8, 2025 Real Betis' Antony reacts REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
New Bayer Leverkusen manager Eric ten Hag is targeting a move for Manchester United forward Antony. The former Ajax and Man United boss previously signed the player for both clubs and is now targeting signing the 25 year old for a third time.
Antony is deemed surplus to requirements at United, having been frozen out of the first team picture by Ruben Amorim. The player was loaned to La Liga side Real Betis where he has enjoyed a bit of a revival, bagging 10 goals and adding 5 assists across 40 appearances in all competitions.
Both Betis and Antony have expressed interest in extending the player’s stay at the club, but the Spanish side is unlikely to be able to meet United’s asking price to make the deal permanent.
United is now open to fielding offers from other clubs for the player, and Sky Sports has reported that Leverkusen is considering Antony as a potential replacement for star man Florian Wirtz should he depart the club. Wirtz is in advanced talks with Liverpool, with the clubs nearing an agreement in the region of £100m.
Ten Hag’s Leverkusen considering move for Antony
Ten Hag brought Antony to Old Trafford for £80m in 2022, but the player would most likely cost only a fraction of that this time around. Leverkusen will have cash to spend after selling right back Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool earlier this summer.
Should they complete another deal with Liverpool this time for Florian Wirtz, they will have pocketed substantially more funds. In fact, ESPN has reported that Leverkusen could use that cashflow to add not only Antony but also teammate Alejandro Garnacho.
Garnacho has been informed he is free to leave Old Trafford this summer following his very public comments expressing his unhappiness with his playing time in United’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
The 20 year old would represent pure profit for United as he is an academy graduate of the club and has a rumoured value of around €45 million.
Leverkusen will be looking to rebuild their squad after failing to defend their league title. After a historic treble win and undefeated Bundesliga campaign in 2023/24, Leverkusen were pipped to the title by rivals Bayern Munich last season.
The club are reeling from the loss of not only key players, but also an influential manager, with Xabi Alonso agreeing to take over at Real Madrid. Ten Hag has now been appointed in what will be his first job since being sacked by United in October and could look to reunite with two former players.
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