Manchester United are reportedly willing to use Antony in a potential swap deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Manchester United have reportedly offered Antony in a potential deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Erik ten Hag has been linked with a reunion with his former Ajax player ever since taking over the reins at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022.
However, the Netherlands international has always been keen to stay put despite Barcelona’s openness to entertain a sale which would enable them to offload the Dutchman’s significant salary.
Although they have failed in previous transfer windows, Man United have not given up hope that they can prise the 27-year-old away from the Catalan giants.
According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, the Red Devils have presented Barcelona with a swap proposal as they step up their efforts to sign De Jong.
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Man United offer Antony to Barcelona
Under Man United’s proposal, De Jong would complete a switch to Old Trafford while Antony would head in the opposite direction.
The report claims that Man United have tabled a swap deal because they are reluctant to meet Barcelona’s demands for an outright transfer.
However, Barcelona have already rejected Man United’s swap offer, leaving the Premier League giants to go back to the drawing board.
The Blaugrana are only willing to sanction De Jong’s departure if any of his potential suitors make a suitable transfer offer rather than a swap proposal.
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Why are Man United willing to offload Antony?
With Barcelona currently looking for a new winger, Man United seemingly felt that Antony could entice the Blaugrana to part ways with De Jong.
However, the Catalan giants will be well aware that the Brazilian attacker has struggled since arriving from Ajax in the summer of 2022.
Antony scored eight goals and provided three assists in 44 appearances during his first season at Old Trafford, before he mustered just three goals and three assists in 38 matches last term.
Man United have ultimately failed to see a return on the £86m they paid to sign him from Ajax, and they appear to be weighing up whether to cut their losses.
The 24-year-old still has three years left to run on his Man United contract, with an option to extend by a further year.