Manchester United's Antony WILL NOT be signed by Bayern Leverkusen: Erik Ten Hag confirms

Manchester United's Antony shouldn't expect a call from Bayer Leverkusen, Erik Ten Hag confirmed. The Brazilian winger, who is back at Manchester after a spectacular loan spell at Real Betis, is considered a huge financial liability and is rumoured to be shipped off this summer.

 

It was former manager Erik Ten Hag who recruited him as the 25-year-old was a standout performer for him at Ajax. Antony became the second most expensive player in the history of the Red Devils after being signed for an astonishing £81.3 million in 2022. It was the costliest purchase by the Premier League club ever after the £89 million signing of Paul Pogba in 2016. However, Antony failed to live up to expectations at the Theatre of Dreams, often coming up with mediocre performances for Erik Ten Hag. He was brutally trolled even by a section of United fans as he struggled to justify the sum spent on him.

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Amidst the side's struggles, he was sent to Betis on loan, where he immediately clicked. From 26 appearances across competitions, including the UEFA Conference League, he scored nine goals and provided five assists. While both the club and player were willing to extend his stay, the La Liga side can't afford the asking price and wage demands of Antony.

 

Manchester United have long forgotten the dream of making a profit by selling Antony. They have come to terms with reality and are willing to sell the former Ajax player for a much lower price, and Atletico Madrid were reportedly considering signing him. Later, Erik Ten Hag, who was fired by United, landed the job at BayArena as the successor of Xabi Alonso. When asked if Antony can expect a call from him, ETH told a German tabloid that it was unlikely. Although he didn't say never, the gaffer said that he was not looking for a player of Antony's profile this summer.

 

Erik Ten Hag, however, praised the winger's skills and added that Antony was like a son to him. "He has great quality. I signed him twice. He was like a son to me, he still is a son to me... We're not interested in him at the moment, but we'll see what happens in the future," Goal.com quoted the Dutchman as telling Bild.

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Antony's current contract at Old Trafford will run out on June 30, 2027. Earlier reports had suggested that the former Premier League champions wanted £40 million for their left-footed player; experts have predicted that they may further bring down the asking price by a few million.

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