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Manchester United would consider a loan-to-buy deal to rid themselves of Antony this January.
The Brazilian’s career in England has become a nightmare despite some very early promise where he scored in his first three Premier League games.
He has firmly dropped to the bottom of the pecking order on the wings this season, having played only 155 minutes, 90 of which came in the league cup tie against third-division Barnsley.
Even his biggest fan, Erik ten Hag, seemingly hasn’t given up on him. The club is desperate to move the Brazil international this winter or summer, and £40m is said to be a fee they would feel comfortable letting him leave for.
His former club Ajax and Italian giants AC Milan have been linked to the winger in recent days.
Football Insider reports that the the club’s former Chief scout, Mick Brown, claims that it will be so desperate to offload Antony that they “will be working to loan him out in January and could agree a permanent deal long before the window opens.”
“Brown has insisted that the 24-year-old is no longer a part of Erik ten Hag’s plans, but there are doubts over whether clubs would be interested in a permanent move for his services.”
“As a result, United are likely to entertain loan offers that include a potential option or obligation to buy upon the expiry of the deal.”
Crystal Palace and Newcastle United have been mentioned as possible destinations, but there are some roadblocks.
The biggest would certainly be the mammoth wages that Antony is currently earning, which are scarcely believable £200,000 per week.
Therefore, even if United were to find a loan partner, they would likely continue to pay a considerable chunk of the 24 year old’s wages.
In addition, Ajax are already said to have doubts about the player’s mental state after suffering such a decline in only two years, and this could be another detrimental factor in United’s efforts to sell him.
