Antony is once again in the headlines. After a surprisingly productive loan spell at Real Betis, the Brazilian winger has revived a career that had stalled during his time at Manchester United. His immediate future remains unclear, caught between the risk of returning to a setup that failed him and the lure of building on his recent momentum. As United look to offload players who no longer fit into their plans, Antony stands at a crucial crossroads. And now, another twist: Bayer Leverkusen and a familiar face, Erik ten Hag, have entered the picture.
According to the Daily Mail, Leverkusen are keeping close tabs on Antony’s situation as they prepare for life after Florian Wirtz, whose big-money move to Liverpool looks imminent. While the Premier League club have already tabled a £109 million offer, the Bundesliga champions are holding out for £120 million. In parallel, Betis, where Antony rediscovered his spark, have reluctantly accepted that they lack the financial firepower to pursue a permanent deal.
The Spanish club have only ever spent more than £21.5 million once in their history. As such, Leverkusen, who can offer Champions League football and a more competitive salary, have emerged as frontrunners. And with Ten Hag now reportedly in the running for the managerial job there, a third reunion between the Dutchman and his former Ajax protégé seems both plausible and fitting.
Will Antony leave Manchester United for Bayer Leverkusen?
From Manchester United’s perspective, the writing is on the wall. Antony, who cost them £81 million, has returned just 12 goals in 96 appearances, a hugely underwhelming output. His spell at Old Trafford never took off, and even he admitted to being a shadow of the player who once lit up the Eredivisie. A clean break appears necessary. In Leverkusen, under a manager who once got the best out of him, Antony may finally rediscover the freedom and confidence he needs to thrive. For United, offloading him would not just free up wages, it would close a chapter that never quite lived up to its promise.
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At Leverkusen, Antony would be stepping into a far more structured environment, one built on tactical discipline, trust, and far less media scrutiny. With a coach who knows his qualities and a system that values cohesion, the Brazilian could finally rediscover his form. The German side, set to lose Wirtz, will need balance and flair. Antony, when given space, confidence, and a defined role, has already shown he can deliver, as seen during his revival at Betis.
For Manchester United, this is the perfect opportunity to capitalise on his improved image, either through a permanent transfer or a loan with a mandatory purchase clause. Keeping him at Old Trafford no longer serves any footballing logic. The fit simply isn’t there, and everyone knows it.
Yet, there’s a counterpoint worth exploring. What if United did the unthinkable and gave him one final shot? If Antony has already hit rock bottom at the club, there’s a case to be made that things could only improve, especially with a new manager, a revamped project, and a better-structured squad. Perhaps, just perhaps, there is one last chance for redemption. But time is running out, and Leverkusen won’t wait forever. The ball is now firmly in United’s court: let go and regain value, or double down and risk repeating a mistake.