Manchester United are planning a shock swap deal for Antony when the transfer window opens in January.
According to reports, the Red Devils are looking for a way to part ways with the Brazilian winger who has performed below expectations since his move from Ajax.
Antony has been struggling since he joined Manchester United in a deal reportedly worth 85 million pounds during the summer of 2022, scoring just eight goals in 54 games in all competitions.
The 24-year-old winger is yet to find the back of the net this season despite being given game time, meanwhile, he has been recently criticized for his behavior on the pitch.
Manchester United planning a shock loan move for Antony
According to football insiders, Manchester United are not looking forward to boosting their attacking options and they could offer Antony in a part exchange contract for Flamengo forward Gabriel Barbosa.
The deal could see the 24-year-old return to his homeland.
Meanwhile, a permanent move for Antony is expected not to materialize due to his contract with Manchester United which stands until the summer of 2027.
Antony has missed several games this season after he was given a leave of absence to defend himself against domestic abuse allegations that were made against him by three women.
What has happened to Antony?
The Brazilian forward returned to his native Brazil in September 2023, to address the accusations before he went back to England where he met Police in Manchester.
Since then he has featured in Manchester United matches, he was part of the team that won 2-1 against Brentford.
Manchester United’s form this season
Manchester United are currently going through a tough test this season in front of goal. Marcus Rashford has scored once while 72 million pounds striker Rasmus Hojlund is yet to score in the Premier League.
The 20-time Premier League winning team presently sits in eighth position in the Premier League table having managed to gather twelve goals this season.
The Old Trafford outfit suffered a back-to-back defeat at the hands of Manchester City and Newcastle United before Bruno Fernandes’s last gap goal earned them a 1-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday, 4th of November.
Manchester United eye Gabriel Barbosa as a potential replacement for Antony
The Red Devils have identified Barbosa who scored 20 goals in 55 appearances in all competitions for Flamengo last season as a potential replacement for Antony who’s linked with a loan move.
Barbosa has previously been linked with a move to the Premier League with clubs like Arsenal, West Ham United, and Newcastle United showing interest in signing the Brazilian forward.
Who’s Gabriel Barbosa?
Gabriel Barbosa is a Brazilian player who plays as a center forward for Brazil club side Flamengo.
Barbosa started his career with Santos and later moved to Europe where he represented several club sides like Inter Milan and Benfica.
The striker enjoyed a brief spell in Europe where he scored 29 goals in all competitions during the 2021/2022 season.
What’s next for Manchester United?
The three-time UEFA Champions League winning club are in search of a striker to ease pressure on Hujlund, however, they’ll be looking forward to signing Gabriel Barbosa in January by all means.
