Manchester United Receives Loan Proposal for Antony

Manchester United has received a fresh loan proposal for winger Antony, this time from Olympiacos, who currently lead their domestic league. The situation marks a significant turn as the Red Devils look to restructure their squad, having decided to offload several players, including the Brazilian forward.

Antony's Struggles at Old Trafford

Antony, obtained from Ajax for a hefty £86 million two and a half years ago, has struggled to find his rhythm at Old Trafford. His statistics reflect this predicament, with just 12 goals and five assists in 94 appearances. Under Erik ten Hag, Antony saw limited playing time, a trend that persists with the recent managerial change to Ruben Amorim, who has not restored the player’s starting position. Remarkably, he hasn't made a single start in the Premier League this season, spending 11 matches as an unused substitute.

Loan Opportunities Emerge

With Antony's diminishing role, both the player and Manchester United are open to exploring loan opportunities during the winter transfer window. Real Betis had made initial overtures to sign him, but Olympiacos has officially entered the fray, aiming to secure a six-month loan deal.

Complex Deal Ahead

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg noted that while Olympiacos has expressed interest, the deal is complex. He emphasized that Antony is permitted to leave but did not elaborate on the obstacles. A significant hurdle is undoubtedly Antony's substantial wage of approximately £200,000 a week, which would require Manchester United to cover most of his salary for a loan agreement to work financially.

Real Betis: The Likely Destination?

Interestingly, reports indicate that Real Betis remains the more probable destination for Antony. The LaLiga side, managed by seasoned coach Manuel Pellegrini, is already making room for his potential signing by finalizing the sale of winger Assane Diao to Serie A club Como for €12 million. This sale would create financial leeway for Betis to bring in Antony on loan while still leaving some budget for additional signings.

Other Transfer News Impacting Manchester United

In other news surrounding Manchester United, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that AC Milan is preparing to approach Marcus Rashford. Although the 27-year-old is free to depart this month, United prefers a permanent transfer over a loan arrangement.

United is also looking at potential left wing-back options, including Lecce's Patrick Dorgo, although they consider him a more budget-friendly option compared to top targets Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth and Nuno Mendes from PSG. The club’s transfer strategy will significantly depend on their financial situation.

Lastly, Manchester United is one of three clubs—along with Tottenham and Juventus—considering a loan move for PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani, who has been given the green light to leave his current club this transfer window.

As the January transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Manchester United and their potential moves, particularly concerning Antony's uncertain future and the implications for the squad's reshaping. Stay tuned for updates!