Besiktas Pursue Antony After Salah Setback
Besiktas have turned their attention to Antony as the club hunts a marquee attacking signing, with the former Manchester United winger emerging as a leading target after a failed move for Mohamed Salah.
The Super Lig side had hoped to lure Salah, only to see him choose Trabzonspor instead. That setback has pushed the Istanbul giants towards Antony, who is now viewed as a statement signing capable of lifting the level of their forward line.
From record fee at Ajax to revival in Spain
Antony’s name still carries weight in Europe. In 2022 he left Ajax for Manchester United in a deal worth at least €95 million, a record outgoing transfer for the Dutch club and one of the headline moves of that summer.
His time at Old Trafford, though, never truly caught fire. Under heavy scrutiny and battling inconsistency, the Brazilian struggled to justify the fee and eventually left on loan before sealing a permanent exit to Real Betis last year for €22 million.
Spain has been far kinder. At Betis last season, Antony delivered the sort of end product that once made him one of Europe’s most coveted young wingers, finishing the campaign with 14 goals and 10 assists in all competitions. That resurgence has put him back on the radar of clubs across the continent.
Betis open to sale as competition grows
Despite his impact in Seville, Betis are understood to be willing to listen if a strong offer lands on the table. With his contract running until mid-2030 and his current market value estimated at around €40 million, any deal will demand serious financial commitment.
Besiktas are not alone in the chase. Reports from Spain indicate that multiple clubs from Europe’s top five leagues are tracking the 24-year-old, intrigued by his revival in La Liga and aware that Betis could be tempted to cash in at the right price.
That competition raises the stakes for Besiktas, who are determined to explore every possible route to a deal despite the cost and the length of Antony’s contract.
Besiktas ready for a bold move
For the Istanbul club, this is about more than just numbers. They want proven quality and big-game experience as they reshape the squad for the new campaign, and Antony fits the profile: Champions League pedigree, international exposure, and a recent season of hard evidence that his confidence is back.
If the transfer goes through, Antony would walk into a direct battle for the right-wing berth with former Ajax team-mate Václav Cerny, setting up a compelling internal duel and giving Besiktas a level of depth rarely seen in that position in recent years.
The club are prepared to push hard before the window closes, testing Betis’ resolve and trying to outmuscle rival suitors.
Now the clock takes over. The next few days will show whether Besiktas can turn ambition into one of the standout signings of the Super Lig summer.
