Juventus plotting surprise Antony swoop with Man Utd not planning to give £85m flop second chance after impressive Real Betis loan

The Brazilian forward, who had fallen way down the pecking order at Old Trafford, spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign in Spain with Betis and delivered performances that have now attracted interest from Serie A. According to a report by UOL Esporte, Juventus had placed Antony on their watchlist earlier in 2025 and are now considering a formal bid for his services.

During his six months at Real Betis, Antony appeared 26 times and contributed directly to 15 goals, netting nine and assisting six. His performances not only helped Betis mount a competitive run in La Liga but also powered them to the final of the UEFA Conference League, where they were ultimately outclassed by Chelsea in a 4-1 defeat.

Despite the growing interest from Italy, Real Betis have not given up hope of retaining Antony’s services. Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo claims the club will soon initiate discussions with United in an effort to negotiate another loan agreement for the 2025-26 season.

Betis are reportedly willing to increase their financial commitment to the deal, including covering a larger portion of Antony’s salary. However, United’s financial position means they would prefer an outright sale rather than another temporary move, making the Spanish club’s task more challenging.

The turnover at United this summer won’t be limited to Antony. The club has decided not to extend the contracts of veteran figures such as Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen, and Victor Lindelof, all of whom will leave on free transfers.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho has surprisingly been told he can look for a new club, and Marcus Rashford’s future remains uncertain. With Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia also expected to be sold, the Red Devils’ squad could look drastically different when the 2025-26 season kicks off.