Fabrizio Romano has now explained that one of Ruben Amorim’s first-team Manchester United players was “appreciated” by one elite European club amid the summer transfer window.
Ruben Amorim saw out the Red Devils’ lacklustre 2024-25 campaign and Manchester United only managed to finish in a woeful 15th in the Premier League table.
The 40-year-old United manager took charge at Old Trafford last November after he left Sporting CP and arrived as the replacement for Erik ten Hag in the dugout.
Erik ten Hag’s third season at United was cut short after the former Ajax manager was sacked from his role as Red Devils head coach last October.
Amorim oversaw a tough start to life in England after his 2024 move and the Red Devils were unable to turn around their shocking Premier League form.
The ex-Sporting CP boss also watched as United fell short in the Europa League final to Tottenham, with Spurs clinching a 1-0 win at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is present during the official training at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 27, 2025. Manchester United and ASEAN All-Stars are set to face off for the Maybank Challenge Cup during their post-season friendly trip to Asia.
Photo by Hari Anggara/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Fabrizio Romano speaks out on Man Utd star Antony and Ruben Amorim being offered a swap deal from Juventus
Antony fell down the pecking order under Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and the 25-year-old Brazilian attacker left Old Trafford during the January window.
Real Betis agreed to sign Antony from United on loan in January and the Red Devils spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign at the La Liga outfit.
Antony was able to turn his career around under Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini and he impressed during his six-month loan spell at the Villamarin Stadium.
United have been linked with Douglas Luiz again and Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Juventus wanted to offer the Brazilian midfielder in a swap deal for Antony.
“Sources reveal that the proposed swap deal discussed by Juventus was with Douglas Luiz to Manchester United and Antony to the Italian club, with initial talks taking place to consider the move,” Romano told GiveMeSport.
“Douglas Luiz – described as “world-class” by former Aston Villa teammate John McGinn – was already on Manchester United’s list last January but nothing happened, while Antony is appreciated in Italy and Juventus were prepared to discuss different formulas for this deal to happen, eventually also on a double loan with buy option clauses.”
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Fabrizio Romano breaks down why Juventus’ swap offer involving Douglas Luiz and Man Utd star Antony failed to materialise
Antony, who is under contract with United until 2027, netted nine times and registered five assists in 26 matches for Real Betis during his loan spell.
The former Ajax star’s contract with the Spanish club will expire on 30th June and Antony would be expected to return to Old Trafford under United boss Amorim.
According to Romano, the swap offer of Douglas Luiz for Antony ‘collapsed’ after former Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli left the Serie A club this month.
“Why did it collapse? Because Juventus director Giuntoli left the club a few days ago in a reshape decided by the ownership with new director Damien Comolli now taking care of the operations,” he added.
“The discussion for Antony and Douglas Luiz, at the moment, is not even advancing anymore.
“Let’s see later in the window if this story can change, but Juventus really considered Antony – now it is up to the new directors.”
Betis have not made an official move – at the time of writing – to make Antony’s transfer permanent after his loan spell for the Spanish side last season.