Besiktas Pursue Antony After Salah Snub
Besiktas are lining up an audacious move for former Manchester United winger Antony as they scramble to inject star quality into their attack.
The Istanbul club, according to Turkish outlet Fanatik, have turned to the Brazilian after missing out on Mohamed Salah, who chose a switch to Trabzonspor instead. Losing that race has only sharpened Besiktas’ intent. They want a marquee name, and they believe Antony can be exactly that.
From record sale to revival in Spain
Antony’s name still carries weight in European football. In 2022 he became Ajax’s record outgoing transfer when Manchester United paid at least €95 million to take him to Old Trafford. The fee brought expectation, and the expectation quickly turned into pressure.
He never truly settled in Manchester. Form dipped, scrutiny grew, and his United spell eventually fizzled out, ending with a loan and then a permanent move away. Last year, Real Betis stepped in, striking a €22 million deal that felt like a reset for both player and club.
It worked. In Spain, Antony rediscovered his edge. Cutting in from the flank, driving at full-backs, he delivered 14 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last season. That kind of end product has not gone unnoticed.
Betis open to a deal – at the right price
Despite his resurgence, Real Betis are not slamming the door on a sale. The club are understood to be willing to listen if a strong offer lands on the table, and that has triggered interest from across Europe’s top five leagues.
Spanish reports suggest several clubs are tracking the 24-year-old closely after his La Liga revival. Besiktas are among the most aggressive suitors, but they are far from alone.
Antony’s market value is currently estimated at around €40 million, and his contract in Seville runs until mid-2030. That long deal hands Betis leverage. Any bidder, Besiktas included, will have to pay a premium or get creative to make the numbers work.
Besiktas ready for a transfer fight
Besiktas know the scale of the challenge. They also know the potential payoff. Landing a player with Antony’s pedigree would send a clear message about their ambitions at home and in Europe.
Club figures are determined to explore every possible route to a deal despite the financial hurdles. Structuring payments, add-ons, sell-on clauses – everything is on the table if it helps bring the Brazilian to Istanbul before the window closes.
If the transfer goes through, Antony would walk into a direct battle for the right-wing spot with former Ajax team-mate Václav Cerny. That competition would sharpen the edge of a Besiktas attack that has often lacked consistency and explosiveness in wide areas.
For now, the next few days are set to be decisive. Besiktas will probe Betis’ resolve and try to steal a march on rival clubs circling the player.
Whether they can turn this ambitious pursuit into a blockbuster signing may say plenty about where Besiktas truly stand in the modern European transfer market.
