Given Manchester United’s current Premier League form and the lackadaisical performances from many of their players, there is no telling what could happen in the Europa League final.
Ruben Amorim’s Europa League or bust attitude has permeated the squad, leading to below-par performances from most of the players. The head coach must fix this before the summer.
INEOS will be watching and have already made plans to revamp the entire squad with another fire sale in the offing. And despite his impressive form on loan at Real Betis, Antony is expected to be among the first to depart.
He has eight goals and five assists since signing on loan in January and his form has naturally attracted plenty of interest, both within Spain and even England.
Antony to be sold Arsenal have emerged as surprise suitors while Atletico Madrid have already submitted an opening bid. As for Betis, they are delighted with the Brazilian but are in no position to pay United’s demands of 50 million.
Now, Teamtalk have relayed reports from Spanish media citing Barcelona have entered the fray with Hansi Flick and Deco impressed with the Brazil international’s form in La Liga this season.
Antony, himself, is keen to test himself at a giant club again but the catch is: the Catalans do not have the funds to secure the 25-year-old outright. Instead, they will target a loan deal with an option to buy and not even an obligation.
“FC Barcelona is preparing for a summer transfer window in which the strategy will be clear: strengthen key positions without compromising the club’s financial situation.
“In this context, Joan Laporta and the sporting management have one name underlined in red: Antony, the Brazilian winger owned by Manchester United and currently on loan to Real Betis. The sporting directorate, headed by Deco, is closely monitoring the player’s situation.
“His profile fits perfectly with what Hansi Flick is looking for in attack: a direct winger with a strong attacking streak, aggressiveness, and the ability to break down defenses. Most importantly, Antony has already proven he can perform at a high level in Spanish football.
Barca want Antony “FC Barcelona can’t afford to spend a lot this summer, and a loan with an option to buy is the ideal way to sign Antony. Those close to the player are positive about the possibility of a move to Camp Nou. Antony wants to establish himself among Europe’s elite and knows that Bara would be a great opportunity to showcase himself.”
United are in no mood to sanction another loan deal, which is what they have already relayed to Betis and the stance is unlikely to change for Barcelona.
The Spanish side must come up with a satisfactory offer or risk losing Antony to Atletico, who seem to be in pole position if Betis cannot cough up the money needed.
Amorim needs help in the summer and Antony’s sale should help with that while most of the squad being put on the market by INEOS.
Feature image Gabriele Maltinti via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
