Manchester United have drastically slashed their asking price for Antony as the club seeks to facilitate a permanent departure for the Brazilian this summer, according to a report.
German outlet Bild reveals United are willing to entertain offers worth between €25 and €30 million (£21-25m) for Antony despite reports towards the latter stages of last season suggesting the club were “confident” they would be able to command a fee of at least £40 million.
A report relayed by The Peoples Person last week revealed United had set a minimum price of £42 million, further evidencing this position.
But Bild now contend the Red Devils have cut this demand in half amid interest in Antony from Bayer Leverkusen, who confirmed Erik ten Hag – the Dutch coach who brought Antony with him to Old Trafford from Ajax in 2022 – as their new manager.
Reports suggest Leverkusen are considering a move for Antony, as well as fellow United winger Alejandro Garnacho, with Bild describing Antony as Ten Hag’s “protégé” despite the Brazilian’s struggles in England under his tutelage.
Antony endured a miserable experience after arriving in Manchester from Amsterdam as he struggled to adapt to the rigours of Premier League football.
There had been some forlorn hope the 25-year-old would find a resurgence as a wing-back under Ruben Amorim after the 40-year-old coach replaced Ten Hag in November.
However, this did not materialise as Antony fell down the pecking order under the Portuguese, eventually agreeing a loan move to Real Betis at the end of the January transfer window.
But where the Premier League quickly morphed into a nightmare for the Brazil international, La Liga constituted a dream; a haven in which to rebuild his reputation in a country that replicated the culture and weather he had grown up in.
Antony quickly established himself as a pivotal part of Manuel Pellegrini’s team, helping propel his adopted side to a 6th-place finish in the league and the final of the Conference League, returning nine goals and five assists in 25 appearances.
Betis are extremely keen for Antony to remain in Seville beyond his loan but the club’s limited financial capability, even with Europa League football next season, ruled out the prospect of meeting United’s £40 million demand.
However, the Spanish side may now accelerate plans to sign Antony permanently if this valuation has been slashed to a more affordable outlay. Similarly, it should entice Leverkusen with Bild contending the “odds are good” if Die Werkself make a move to reunite Ten Hag with his former pupil.
United would incur a negative hit from a PSR perspective if they were to sell Antony this summer at that price. The 25-year-old has a book value worth around £32.5 million left on his original purchase from Ajax, meaning any departure under this threshold will weaken the Reds’ finances, not strengthen them.
Therefore, this makes this new price unlikely, unless it is attached to a loan with an obligation clause as Antony’s book value next summer will drop to just over £16 million, meaning a sale at that price would be profitable.
Featured image Gabriele Maltinti via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
