The transfer saga surrounding Manchester United winger Antony continues to heat up, with Bayer Leverkusen closely watching the situation unfold.
The German club is considering making a move for the 25-year-old, who is also wanted back by his loan club Real Betis in Spain.
Antony’s potential switch to Leverkusen would reunite him with Erik Ten Hag, the Dutch manager who signed him twice before — first at Ajax and then at Manchester United.
A Familiar Manager and New Opportunities
Erik Ten Hag clearly values Antony, having brought him to Old Trafford in 2022 for a hefty £81 million after previously coaching him at Ajax.
If Antony does make the move to Germany, it would mark their third collaboration.
Leverkusen sees Antony as a potential replacement for their star player Florian Wirtz, who looks poised to join Liverpool.
Liverpool themselves have made a huge £105 million bid for Wirtz, but Leverkusen is holding out for closer to £126 million.
Meanwhile, Antony’s own future is in flux as several clubs show interest in him.
Antony’s Mixed Journey from England to Spain
Antony’s time at Manchester United was far from what fans expected.
Despite the big transfer fee, he managed only 12 goals in 96 appearances, a disappointing return for such a talented winger.
However, since joining Real Betis on loan, Antony has been a revelation.
In just six months, he’s scored nine goals in 24 starts and helped lead Betis to the Conference League final, earning praise from fans and club legends alike.
Joaquin, a Betis icon, even joked that he’d “kidnap” Antony to make sure he stays.
Real Betis’ Financial Challenge and Antony’s Uncertain Path
Betis would love to keep Antony permanently, but the reality is complicated.
The club’s record transfer fee remains just £21.5 million, paid for Denilson back in 1998 — a world record at the time, but nowhere near enough to buy Antony outright.
With limited finances and other clubs interested, Betis face an uphill battle to keep their star winger, leaving Antony’s next destination uncertain.
Antony’s Personal Struggles and Honesty About His Future
Antony has been open about the challenges he faced at Manchester United, admitting that he struggled mentally and physically during his time there.
He revealed he sometimes didn’t have the strength to play with his son and could go days without eating, isolated in his room.
Now, he is preparing to return to Manchester United, although a permanent move back to Betis or a new club remains on the table.
Before his loan, Antony was regularly involved in the squads coached by United’s current manager, Rúben Amorim, suggesting a return to that setup isn’t out of the question.
Antony Keeps His Cards Close When Asked About What’s Next
After Betis’ heavy 4-1 loss to Chelsea in the Conference League final, Antony was asked about his future.
He kept things vague, saying, “I don’t know what will happen in the future, only God knows.”
He emphasized that his main focus is playing well, acknowledging his affection for Betis but also noting his contract with Manchester United.
He added, “Now I will go to the national team and then on holiday, then we will see what happens in the future.
I’m very happy here, everyone knows that, but I have a contract.”