Newcastle United line up shock January move for Manchester United winger Antony

Newcastle United are plotting a shock swoop for Manchester United misfit Antony when the transfer window reopens in January.

The Toon Army were desperate to sign Nottingham Forest forward Anthony Elanga in the business end of the summer transfer window. They had even put in a verbal offer in the region of a potential £50m, which was rejected by Nottingham Forest.

This hasn’t ended the Magpies’ interest in the Sweden international. Newcastle United will reportedly revive their interest in Elanga at the start of the New Year, but if they fail again, then they could shift their focus towards Antony. Manchester United are open to selling the Brazilian winger and would ask for a fee in the region of £40m.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is believed to be an admirer of Antony despite his royal struggles since arriving at Man United for £85million from Ajax in the summer of 2022. The 24-year-old has weighed in with only 11 goals and five assists in 83 appearances for the Red Devils thus far. He has fallen the pecking order this season, clocking just one minute of Premier League action.

Thus, come the January transfer window, Man United are looking to cut their losses on the Brazil international amid Newcastle interest.

Newcastle United want to bolster squad in January

Newcastle endured a relatively quiet summer transfer window compared to their Premier League rivals. Lloyd Kelly and John Ruddy arrived on free transfers, joining Lewis Hall, William Osula and Odysseas Vlachodimos in the squad.

However, the Tyneside-based club failed to land their primary defensive target of the summer transfer window—Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi. Newcastle’s multiple bids were rejected as Palace stood firm in their valuation of Guehi. It remains to be seen whether Eddie Howe and Co. make attempt to sign the Palace skipper again, but they have supposedly made the signing of a winger in the winter transfer window one of their main targets.

Antony has surprisingly emerged on the Toon Army’s radar, with Howe a bid admirer of the diminutive Brazilian’s skill-set and feels he would add value to his squad. One interesting bit is the 24-year-old is keen on joining Howe’s Newcastle in the New Year.

The South American was rated as one of the best young wingers in world football during his time at Ajax, but he has been a massive disappointment for Erik ten Hag’s side. He is still relatively young, and after losing his first-team spot in the second half of last season, Antony must move on from Old Trafford to revive his career.

A move to Newcastle could be beneficial, allowing Antony the chance to rediscover his mojo and unlock his true potential under Howe. It will be intriguing to see if the Magpies do really make an offer for the Brazil international at the beginning of 2025.