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Antony’s Exit Looms: Atletico Madrid Eye Manchester United’s £34-42m Winger

  • Writer: Joao Nsita
    Joao Nsita
  • May 2
  • 6 min read

Antony

A New Chapter for Antony?

The winds of change are blowing through Old Trafford, and Antony, Manchester United’s enigmatic Brazilian winger, could be the next to depart. Atletico Madrid have made a formal inquiry about the 25-year-old, with United reportedly open to selling for a fee between £34 million and £42 million. This development, emerging in the spring of 2025, marks a potential turning point for a player whose time at United has been a rollercoaster of promise and frustration. For a club under Ruben Amorim’s stewardship, looking to reshape a squad mired in mid-table mediocrity, offloading Antony could free up funds and signal a ruthless new era. But what does this mean for the player, the club, and the fans who once saw him as a beacon of flair?


Antony’s journey at United has been anything but smooth. Signed from Ajax in 2022 for a staggering £86 million—one of the club’s most expensive deals—he arrived with the weight of expectation. His dazzling footwork and early heroics, like a debut goal against Arsenal, hinted at stardom. Yet, inconsistency, off-field issues, and a paltry return of 11 goals in 83 appearances have left him on the fringes. Now, with Atletico Madrid circling, the question isn’t just whether Antony can revive his career but whether United can salvage value from a costly gamble gone awry.


Antony’s United Story: A Tale of Unfulfilled Potential


When Antony joined Manchester United, he was heralded as Erik ten Hag’s golden boy—a reunion with the coach who’d molded him into a star at Ajax. His £86 million fee, inflated by United’s desperation and Ajax’s leverage, raised eyebrows, but the Brazilian’s potential seemed limitless. A silky left foot, fearless dribbling, and a knack for audacious spins electrified fans. His first season (2022/23) delivered eight goals across all competitions, including a Europa League stunner against Barcelona, but cracks soon appeared. Antony struggled with the Premier League’s physicality, his decision-making faltered, and off-field allegations of domestic abuse—though no charges were filed—cast a shadow.


By 2024, Antony’s role dwindled. Ten Hag’s sacking and Amorim’s arrival in November 2024 marginalized him further. Used sparingly in just nine of Amorim’s first 15 games, totaling 252 minutes, Antony was a peripheral figure. A January 2025 loan to Real Betis offered a lifeline, and he thrived in La Liga, contributing goals and assists in a 3-1 win over Girona and earning praise from Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini, who said, “Antony’s quality is undeniable—he’s a difference-maker.” Teammate Isco even jokingly suggested crowdfunding to keep him. Despite Betis’ interest in a permanent deal, their inability to meet United’s €50 million (£42.8 million) valuation—coupled with new Spanish rules banning spread payments—opened the door for Atletico Madrid.


Atletico’s Interest: A Perfect Fit or a Risky Bet?


Atletico Madrid’s inquiry is a bold move from a club known for shrewd transfers. Diego Simeone’s side, perennial La Liga contenders, see Antony as a potential spark for their attack, which has leaned heavily on Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata. At £34-42 million, the fee is a steep discount from United’s £86 million outlay, but it aligns with Atletico’s history of reviving careers—think Fernando Torres or Yannick Carrasco. Antony’s pace, work rate, and flair could complement Simeone’s high-intensity system, offering width and creativity on the right flank.


However, risks abound. Antony’s inconsistency at United raises doubts about his adaptability to Atletico’s disciplined setup. Simeone demands defensive grit, and while Antony’s Betis stint showed improvement—tracking back and pressing relentlessly—his Premier League struggles suggest a mental fragility under pressure. Atletico’s interest also coincides with their pursuit of other targets, like Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, hinting at a broader squad refresh. If United hold firm at £42 million, Atletico may need to offload players or secure Champions League qualification to fund the deal, adding complexity to negotiations.


Antony

United’s Strategy: Amorim’s Ruthless Rebuild


For Manchester United, selling Antony is less about recouping funds and more about clearing the decks for Amorim’s vision. The Portuguese manager, tasked with reviving a club stuck in 10th place, has already greenlit departures for high-profile names like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Casemiro. Antony’s exit fits this pattern—a shedding of ten Hag’s costly signings to finance a squad overhaul. United’s reported interest in strikers like Wolves’ Matheus Cunha (£64 million release clause) and Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick (£34 million) suggests the funds from Antony’s sale could target a new number nine to support Rasmus Højlund.


Amorim’s priorities extend beyond attack. With scouts tracking Partizan Belgrade’s Ognjen Ugresic and Le Havre’s Enzo Kana-Biyik, United are building for the future. The £34-42 million from Antony’s sale could also bolster bids for a midfielder or center-back, areas Amorim deems critical. Financial fair play constraints loom large, and offloading Antony’s £200,000-a-week wages would ease the burden. Yet, the optics sting—selling a £86 million asset at a 50% loss underscores United’s transfer market woes, a narrative that’s haunted them since Sir Alex Ferguson’s exit.


The Betis Factor: A Missed Opportunity?


Antony’s resurgence at Real Betis complicates the story. Betis, pushing for Champions League qualification, saw Antony as a star, with five goals and four assists in 39 appearances. Their president, Manu Fajardo, vowed to do “everything possible” to sign him, but a new Spanish rule banning amortized transfer fees crippled their hopes. United’s openness to a swap deal involving Betis’ 19-year-old winger Jesús Rodríguez fell flat, leaving Atletico to swoop in. Betis’ loss could be Atletico’s gain, but it leaves United fans wondering: could Antony have thrived under Amorim with a fresh start?


The winger’s own words, shared after a Betis match, hint at gratitude but acceptance: “I’m happy here, but I respect United’s plans.” His agent’s defense—calling criticism of Antony’s physicality “superficial”—suggests belief in his potential, yet Amorim’s limited use of him speaks volumes. Atletico’s inquiry, pegged at €40-50 million, aligns with United’s valuation, making it a cleaner exit than the stalled Betis talks.


A Critical Lens: Is This the Right Move?


United’s willingness to sell Antony for £34-42 million is pragmatic but exposes deeper issues. The £86 million fee was a gamble on potential, not proven output, and his failure reflects poorly on the club’s recruitment under ten Hag. Atletico’s interest offers a chance to cut losses, but the price—half the original outlay—highlights a pattern of overpaying for talent that underdelivers. Suzuki’s £40 million valuation for a goalkeeper, compared to Antony’s fee for a winger, underscores the market’s volatility. United must ensure the proceeds fund smarter signings, not another cycle of hype and regret.


For Antony, Atletico could be salvation. Simeone’s track record with mercurial talents suggests he could unlock the Brazilian’s best, but the pressure of a big club, even in Madrid, mirrors United’s crucible. Fans may question why United didn’t persist with a player showing form abroad, especially with wingers like Alejandro Garnacho also linked to Atletico. The transfer feels like a reset, but it’s not without regret—a symbol of what could have been.


Conclusion


Antony’s potential £34-42 million move to Atletico Madrid marks the end of a turbulent chapter at Manchester United. From a £86 million dream to a discounted departure, his story is a cautionary tale of ambition outpacing reality. For United, it’s a chance to fund Ruben Amorim’s rebuild, targeting strikers and youth to climb from mid-table obscurity. For Antony, Atletico offers a fresh canvas to paint the brilliance he flashed at Betis. But doubts linger—can he handle Simeone’s demands? Will United regret another fire sale? This transfer isn’t just about one winger; it’s about a club rediscovering its ruthlessness. What do you think—should United cash in, or is Antony worth another shot? Share your take below.



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