Manchester United forward Antony could be the key ingredient in one of Ruben Amorim's most important pieces of business in the summer transfer window.
The Brazilian is currently on loan at Real Betis, where he has produced a number of eye-catching appearances. Since securing a loan move to the La Liga, Antony has scored three goals and assisted another two in six appearances.
His six goal contributions for Los Mejores have blown his numbers at United out of the water. In the first-half of the season, Antony scored just once for United - in the 7-0 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley - with him already equalling last season's total from 38 games.
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United's decision to pay £82million for his services in 2022 means the club face being forced to accept a loss in the summer, should a team be willing to come in for him. Fortunately for Ruben Amorim, his upturn in form with Betis could play perfectly into United's summer business.
A new striker is the priority at Old Trafford with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling for consistency and goals. Viktor Gyokeres is the number one target having worked with Amorim at Sporting CP but the lack of European football could force United to look elsewhere.
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic is named previously linked with a move to England with Randal Kolo Muani's imminent permanent switch to Italy meaning the Serbian could be on the move in the summer and Antony's future could unlock a possible deal, which would likely come at a fraction of the cost of signing Gyokeres for United.
Tuttomercatoweb have claimed the Brazilian is wanted by Juventus after the early signs of him rediscovering his Ajax form with Betis. Despite impressing in Spain, Antony isn't expected to be offered a pathway back into Amorim's team next summer.
Whilst swap deals are very rare in the transfer window nowadays, a move to Turin for Antony could be the trigger for Vlahovic to move to United. At 25, the striker has scored 106 career goals for Juventus, Fiorentina and Partizan Belgrade, something neither of United's current strikers can boast about.
