Besiktas Pursue Antony for Bold Summer Signing

Besiktas are lining up an audacious move for former Manchester United winger Antony as they hunt for a marquee addition to their attack.

The Istanbul giants have turned to the Brazilian after missing out on Mohamed Salah, who chose Trabzonspor, according to Turkish outlet Fanatik. Losing that race stung. Going after Antony would be a bold response.

From record sale to revival

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. That price tag brought pressure, and his time at Old Trafford never truly caught fire. Form dipped, expectations rose, and eventually he moved out on loan.

Last year, the winger drew a line under his Premier League spell with a permanent switch to Real Betis for €22 million. Spain has suited him. In Seville, he rediscovered his edge, producing 14 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last season and reminding clubs why he once commanded such a fee.

That resurgence has not gone unnoticed. Despite his strong campaign, reports in Spain suggest Betis are prepared to cash in if the right offer lands on the table.

Besiktas push, Europe watches

Besiktas want to be that club. They are determined to add proven quality and experience before the new season kicks off, and Antony fits the profile: Champions League pedigree, big-club background, and the kind of one-v-one threat that can change tight games.

They will not have a free run at him. Clubs from across Europe’s top five leagues are tracking his situation, drawn by his La Liga revival and the sense that he is entering his prime years.

Any deal will be expensive. Antony’s market value is estimated at around €40 million, and his contract with the Seville side runs until mid-2030, putting Betis in a strong negotiating position. Besiktas know they will have to be creative and aggressive to make it work, but sources around the club indicate they are ready to explore every possible avenue.

Ajax reunion on the right?

If they pull it off, the battle for the right flank in Istanbul would be compelling. Antony would reunite with former Ajax team-mate Václav Cerny, with the pair vying for the same spot. That kind of internal competition is exactly what Besiktas have lacked in recent seasons.

The club’s hierarchy want a statement signing before the window closes. Antony would be just that – a player with a point to prove, a fanbase hungry for a star, and a league that often offers attackers the platform to shine.

The next few days will be telling. Besiktas are ready to test Real Betis’ resolve and go head-to-head with rival suitors. The question now is simple: can the Super Lig contenders turn an ambitious chase into one of the summer’s standout transfers?