There is a possibility that one of Manchester United’s loanees last season could be reintegrated into Rúben Amorim’s squad following “insane” performances.
Manchester United are prioritising player exits this summer as Rúben Amorim begins a major rebuild at Old Trafford.
The club have already brought in Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5 million and remain in talks with Brentford over Bryan Mbeumo, though their offer of £45 million plus £10 million in add-ons was turned down.
A striker and a midfielder are top of the wishlist, while a new goalkeeper could also be pursued if André Onana moves on.
With several contract expiries already confirmed, more departures are anticipated as United look to reshape the squad ahead of the new season.
A reintegration for Antony is not out of the question
In January, United focused very much on helping their outcast players leave on loan, with Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia all departing.
While Malacia has won the Eredivisie title with PSV Eindhoven, Antony has had the most successful temporary exit from Old Trafford, completely reinvesting himself and scoring “insane” goals with Real Betis.
United are reported to want around £30-35 million for the Brazilian this summer. Still, according to transfer specialist Dharmesh Sheth, it cannot be ruled out that Antony could be reintegrated into the squad next season if United do not find a suitable buyer, which may be a problem this summer.
However, he did also mention that Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen are an interested party.
“Manchester United’s Antony is one of a number of forwards Bayer Leverkusen are looking at should Florian Wirtz leave,” Sheth explained on Sky Sports.
“Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag was in charge of Manchester United when Antony joined for over £80 million in 2022. If United allow Antony to leave, the preference is a permanent deal.
“He impressed in a loan spell at Real Betis in the second half of last season, scoring nine goals in 24 starts. Betis remain interested in signing him, but are unlikely to be able to meet United’s asking price.
“Re-integrating him into the United set-up cannot be ruled out. He featured in every one of Ruben Amorim’s squads bar one before he left for Spain in late January.”
Antony’s sale could unlock move for Gyökeres
While the club already look set to sign Mbeumo alongside Cunha in the opening weeks of the window, there have been reports in the last few days that Sporting CP star Viktor Gyökeres is also very open to joining the club this summer.
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The Swedish international, who scored 66 goals in 68 games under Amorim at Sporting, will cost just shy of £59 million this summer, with reports filtering through that the United head coach has kept in contact with Gyökeres since his move from Lisbon to Manchester.
However, after Cunha and Mbeumo are hopefully signed, the rest of United’s summer market funds will have to come from sales, and Antony’s exit would help United fund a move for Gyökeres, with sales of Rashford and Jadon Sancho set to follow.
Although Betis have been previously reported as a club that could only afford a loan move for Antony this summer, after entering into talks with Atletico Madrid to sell midfielder Johnny Cardoso for £25 million, this could change.
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