Antony rejects two transfer offers to leave Manchester United

Antony has rejected two offers to leave Manchester United after Ruben Amorim suggested he could still have a future at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian winger has been put up for sale this summer following his dismal spell in the Premier League.

United spent £82m to sign Antony from Ajax in 2022 but he has proven to be one of the biggest transfer flops in Premier League history.

Antony scored four league goals during his first season at Old Trafford and just one during the 2023-24 campaign.

The 25-year-old found himself out of the team last season before he was sent on loan to Real Betis in January.

Antony improved dramatically while playing in La Liga, scoring nine goals for Betis and helping the Spanish side reach the final of the Conference League.

But Manchester United are still keen to cash in on Antony this summer having spent more than £120m on attacking players Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Real Betis remain keen to bring Antony back to the club but are unlikely to do so given the finances involved in the deal.

Antony has also attracted interest from Brazil, with Botafogo and his boyhood club Sao Paulo making enquiries to the player and United.

But Brazilian outlet Antenados claim Antony has rejected a potential return to his home country, telling both clubs he is not considering a move back to Brazil at this stage of his career.

Antony reportedly thanked Botafogo and Sao Paulo for their approaches but informed them he was not currently interested in a return to Brazil.

Multiple European clubs are believed to be interested in signing Antony, who Manchester United value at around £30m.

The player’s agent, Junior Pedroso, recently said ‘anything was possible’ in regards to Antony’s future and confirmed he is ‘open’ to a move to Saudi Arabia.

‘What I can say is that the player is on the market, and there are several clubs that want to know his current status,’ he told WinWin.

‘We listen to the projects and analyse them. But he is open to moving to Saudi Arabia. Anything is possible, we are looking for what is best for him.’

There is also a slim chance Antony remains at Manchester United along with fellow unwanted stars Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho.

Speaking ahead of United’s pre-season friendly win over West Ham on Saturday, Amorim insisted those players would not be sold for a cut-price fee and would be reintegrated into his squad if they are not sold.

Asked if the club was concerned about losing value on those players in order to sell them, Amorim said: ‘That is not the case because there are different reasons for the players [wanting to leave].

Ruben Amorim ‘ready’ to welcome exiled players back

‘Some players have to find a new place to have space in the team. Other players show they want a new challenge and a new team.

‘We are just allowing these players to think and decide. If they reach a point where they will have to join the team, they will join because they are our players.

‘I know for a fact Omar (Barrada, CEO) and Jason (Wilcox, director of football) and the club have a number (price) for these players.

‘If they don’t reach that, they will be Manchester United players, no doubt about that. I understand other clubs are maybe waiting for the last minute, but they can have a surprise.

‘I’m ready to receive the players. They have more competition. If they want to play in the World Cup, they need to play.

‘I’m happy with that because I’ll have more options. If they have to fight each other to play, for me it’s perfect.’

Manchester United have three more pre-season friendlies – against Bournemouth, Everton and Fiorentina – before their Premier League opener on August 17.

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