Champions League Club Make Offer to Sign 'Magic' £43m Man Utd Star

Benfica have made two approaches to sign Manchester United star Antony in recent hours, according to CNN Portugal journalist Bruno Andrade.

The Red Devils have completely changed their attack ahead of the 2024/25 season by completing deals for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, while a deal has also been agreed with RB Leipzig to sign striker Benjamin Sesko.

Now all attention at Old Trafford has turned to departures, and Brazil winger Antony's future could be the next to be determined, according to fresh reports.

Benfica Approach Man Utd for Antony

Keen on loan but could buy percentage of the player

Antony, who has been described by Romain Perraud as "magic", enjoyed a fine second half of the season while on loan at Real Betis in 2024/25, which has seen several European clubs take an interest in his services.

Man Utd are keen to move him on this summer after two-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford, where he struggled massively following an £86m move from Ajax, and the player was left out of the club's pre-season tour to the USA in order to sort out a move.

A return to Betis is said to have been the player's priority, but Betis are only looking at a loan and the Reds would prefer a permanent deal, which means that the deal has failed to progress all summer.

Antony's La Liga statistics - Real Betis squad ranking Stats Output Squad rank Appearances 12 21st Goals 3 =4th Key Passes Per Game 2.7 =2nd Shots Per Game 2.6 3rd Dribbles Per Game 1.5 3rd Match rating 7.17 4th

Now Benfica have entered the race after seeing their move for Joao Felix hijacked by Saudi side Al Nassr, and according to Andrade, they have made a formal approach "in recent hours".

The Portuguese club are also interested in doing a loan deal, but would also consider buying a percentage of the player in order to lower the fee, with Man Utd said to be demanding €50m (£43m) for the 25-year-old.

Talks are ongoing between the clubs, but Benfica are now firmly in the race and believe they have an advantage over Betis as they can offer the player Champions League football. United want him gone, and an exit looks set to happen before the deadline passes on September 1st.

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All statistics courtesy of WhoScored - correct as of 07/08/2025.

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