Manchester United have been presented with a golden opportunity to offload underperforming winger Antony this summer, with Atlético Madrid tabling a “huge” £64 million offer.
Real Betis, previously in the race, have been left reeling after Antony’s representatives dismissed their interest outright, signaling a preference for Diego Simeone’s project.
The 24-year-old, signed for £86 million from Ajax in 2022 under Erik ten Hag, failed to live up to his price tag, managing just three goals and two assists in 29 appearances this season.
With Ruben Amorim now at the helm and United stuck in 13th place ahead of today’s Manchester derby, Antony’s £200,000-a-week wages have become a burden the club is eager to shed.
Atlético’s bid offers a lifeline—recouping over half the initial fee and freeing up funds for Amorim’s rebuild.
Atlético Madrid, currently third in La Liga and chasing a Champions League spot, see Antony as a potential replacement for the aging Antoine Griezmann, whose minutes are being managed.
Simeone, known for reviving flair players like Yannick Carrasco, reportedly views Antony’s pace and trickery as a fit for his counter-attacking system, despite the winger’s struggles in England.
And according to Fichajes, they claim that Diego Simeone’s side has launched a staggering ‘offer worth up to £64m with add-ons’ and that the LaLiga giants are now ‘leading’ the race to sign him.
It is suggested that Atletico Madrid’s proposal is ‘€45m (£38m) fixed, with a further €30m (£26m) in variables’.
Real Betis, who had been circling Antony for a loan-to-buy deal, were blindsided by the snub. The Seville club, sixth in La Liga, believed they could offer regular football to reignite his career alongside stars like Nabil Fekir.
But Antony’s camp “blew them away” with a flat rejection, prioritizing a move to a Champions League contender over Betis’ Europa League ambitions. “We were ready to push hard,” a Betis insider admitted. “His people didn’t even entertain talks—it’s a shock.”
United’s willingness to sell stems from Antony’s peripheral role under Amorim, who favoured Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo on the wings.
The £64 million fee would count as profit under Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) due to amortization, aiding pursuits like Federico Valverde.
Antony’s United stint—marred by off-field issues (a 2023 domestic abuse probe, later dropped) and on-pitch inconsistency—has been a disappointment since his debut stunner against Arsenal.
Atlético’s interest offers a fresh start, with Simeone’s disciplinarian style possibly the tonic he needs. “Antony’s got talent, but he’s lost his way,” the United source added. “Madrid could be perfect for him—and us.”
For United fans, the news is bittersweet: a chance to move on from a flop, but another reminder of transfer missteps. As the Red Devils face City today, Antony’s exit looms large—whether he waves goodbye from the pitch or the stands.
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