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The midfielder is looking to return to the professional game, and D.C. are reportedly interested – but he has not played since September, 2023

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• D.C. United own Paul Pogba's MLS rights
• Eastern Conference side reportedly engaging in talks with Frenchman
• Midfielder has not played competitively since September, 2023
• Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  D.C. United own Paul Pogba's MLS rights, and have reportedly been engaged in contract talks for "months" with the midfielder. A 2018 FIFA World Cup winner and former talisman for both Manchester United and Juventus, the 32-year-old is currently a free agent and is available to sign wherever he wishes.

  However, he has not played competitively for over 20 months after testing positive for DHEA, a banned substance that raises testosterone levels. Playing for Serie A side Juventus at the time, the Italian anti-doping agency banned Pogba for four years. Claiming he unknowingly took the substance, Pogba appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which reduced his suspension to 18 months and he was cleared to play in March. Juventus and the 32-year-old agreed to a contract termination last November, making him a free agent.

  By owning Pogba's MLS rights, D.C. has the first right of negotiation with the Frenchman. As a result, no other MLS team can approach him about contract talks.

  According to the report, D.C. Chief Executive Jason Levien has had multiple conversations with Pogba's agent, and has met the 32-year-old at least once. D.C. and Pogba's representatives have exchanged contract proposals. Pogba, who owns a home in Miami, is also believed to be looking at playing opportunities abroad in Europe and the Middle East.

  “Jason is trying hard for Pogba,” an anonymous source who was not cleared to speak on the matter, told the Post. Adidas, a primary MLS sponsor who also signed Pogba to a 10-year $44M endorsement deal in 2016, is aware of the talks, a person added.

  A decision on his next destination is expected to be made in the near future. The Washington Post was the first to report talks between D.C. and Pogba.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  To sign Pogba, D.C. United would need to use a Designated Player (DP) spot on the 32-year-old. The club is roster compliant for the start of the 2025 MLS season and has opted for the "Designated Player path model," which allows them to carry three DPs. Currently, two of those slots are filled: one by star forward and reigning Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke, and the other by midfielder Mateusz Klich. However, Klich was loaned to Atlanta United during the offseason, though he remains on D.C.'s books.

  Adding Pogba would mark D.C.’s third major signing in recent years, following the arrivals of Benteke and former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

  D.C. United has started the MLS campaign with a 2-5-3 record, sitting on nine points and currently 13th in the Eastern Conference.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Pogba was signed for a previous world-record fee of $119M by Manchester United in 2016. At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he was voted the best young player of the tournament, and at the 2018 World Cup – where France claimed victory – Pogba scored against Croatia in the final.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR POGBA AND D.C.?

  The 32-year-old, per the report, is expected to make a decision on where he signs next in the coming weeks. If he lands in MLS, it will be with D.C. unless another team trades for his rights, thereby allowing them to negotiate with him.

  D.C. report for Matchday 11 next weekend when they host Western Conference side Colorado Rapids.

Leeds United have made their first move to sign a 20-year-old attacker who has been called a prolific scorer at youth level.

Leeds still yet to make a January signing

The Whites and the 49ers Enterprises have remained quiet in the January transfer window, with Elland Road loan exits for Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Crew the only real talking points.

The young duo have joined Hull City and Doncaster Rovers respectively, whereas Leeds have remained patient on the incoming front while sitting top of the Championship table and unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions.

Better move than Buendia: Leeds could make late move for "incredible" ace

Leeds United still haven’t made any new additions with less than a week remaining in the transfer window.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jan 29, 2025

Daniel Farke has recently admitted that a centre-back, attacking midfielder and centre-forward are positions Leeds could still strengthen in, saying: “There are still a few positions we could have a deeper look at if they can improve the squad. But right now, I’m a little bit more calmer with not being in panic mode with the need to have to do something.

“I think it’s fair to say if there is a creative offensive player out there, like a number 10 position, then it is something that could be beneficial for our group.

“Brenden Aaronson has been excellent this season and a key player for us. But we might have a similar player like him in our group. Of course we have players who can play in this role.

“If there is a solution for a creative midfield player it definitely make sense to stay awake. In all the other areas we are covered. The only two [positions] we have to stay awake in my head is the centre-back position… and perhaps a bit in the striker position.”

There have been a plethora of players linked with moves to Elland Road, including Emiliano Buendia, who is now set to sign for Bayer Leverkusen, and more recently, former Liverpool ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Whites have now made a first move to add a young attacker to their ranks, though, following an update from The Athletic.

Leeds take Oakley Cannonier on trial

As per The Athletic, relayed by Tom Coates of The Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds have taken Liverpool attacker Oakley Cannonier on trial at Thorp Arch.

The 20-year-old, who Coates described as a ‘prolific scorer for the Reds at youth level’ after netting 33 goals in 37 games for Liverpool’s U18s, was even on the bench for Leeds’ U21s against West Ham U21s on Monday.

Cannonier was actually the Liverpool ball boy who acted swiftly to help Trent Alexander-Arnold take a quick corner to set up Divock Origi in Liverpool’s memorable Champions League win over Barcelona in 2019.

Now, the forward, who is awaiting his first senior Liverpool appearance, could be on the move to Yorkshire, should he impress Leeds over the coming days, making this one to keep an eye on.

Arsenal have now identified a “superstar” as their top striker target for the summer, and there is a belief a deal could be done for £55m, according to a report.

Gunners keen on a new striker

The Gunners attempted to bring in a new striker during the January transfer window, but they were unable to get a deal done for a reasonable price, with Aston Villa demanding a fee above £80m for Ollie Watkins.

Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are also well-known targets for Mikel Arteta, but the former was understandably unavailable in the January transfer window, with Newcastle United not yet in a position where they have to sell the Sweden international.

On the other hand, a report has revealed the north Londoners have already started work on securing a pre-summer deal for Sesko, as the Slovenian has a gentleman’s agreement to leave RB Leipzig either this year or in 2026.

Arsenal keen on "special" £25m ace who's now available to sign this summer

The Gunners have set their sights on a hot prospect, who is being targeted by some of Europe’s top clubs.

By
Dominic Lund

Feb 9, 2025

The Sunday Mirror have now dropped a new update on Arsenal’s striker pursuit (via Football London), reporting Isak and Sesko are at the top of their wish list for the summer transfer window.

However, it is the Leipzig star who is viewed as the ideal target, with a deal deemed more of a realistic possibility as there is a belief he has a £55m release clause included in his contract with the German club.

Not only is Arteta keen to bring in a new striker, he is also set to sign a back-up goalkeeper and central midfielder, with Spain international Martin Zubimendi wanted from Real Sociedad.

Sesko on fire in the Bundesliga

It is little wonder Arsenal are so keen on the Slovenia international, given that he is in fantastic form in the Bundesliga, picking up six goals and one assist in his last eight outings.

Such is the 21-year-old’s ability, he has been lauded as a “superstar” by HITC’s Graeme Bailey, so it is exciting news the Gunners are now positioning themselves to get a deal done in the summer.

Although Leipzig crashed out the Champions League, the starlet also put in some impressive performances in the competition this season, bagging four goals in eight group games.

Given the youngster’s potential, a fee of £55m seems reasonable, so the Gunners should continue to monitor Sesko’s performances between now and the end of the season, before launching a move.

Although Kai Havertz has impressed at times this season, there are justified concerns about whether Arteta’s side can go all the way in the Premier League and Champions League without an out-and-out striker, and Sesko certainly fits the bill in that regard.

Everything you need to know about Ibrahima Konate's salary at Liverpool

French centre-back Ibrahima Konate has been an important player in the Liverpool squad since his signing from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in 2021.

Partnering club captain Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence, Konate’s strength and defensive prowess have played a key role in Liverpool’s success.

The French international won his first Premier League title in the 2024-25 season under Arne Slot, also scoring his first-ever Premier League goal that same season.

Konate's current contract with Liverpool runs until 2026, with the player being well-compensated for his efforts at Anfield. So, exactly how much does he earn?

GOAL delved into the numbers with Capology and found out!

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• Ibrahima Konate's wages at Liverpool in numbers

  Ibrahima Konate, a French defender, is currently under a five-year contract with Liverpool. He receives a weekly salary of £70,000 ($93,863), resulting in an annual income of £3.6 million ($4.8 million).

  Player	Nationality	Weekly wages in GBP	Weekly wages in USD	Annual wages in GBP	Annual wages in USD
  Ibrahima Konate	French	£70,000	$93,863	£3,640,000	$4,880,886

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  Top earners at Liverpool

  Mohamed Salah, an Egyptian forward, is the highest-paid player at Liverpool, followed by Virgil van Dijk, the club captain.

  Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, both fullbacks, rank third and fourth, with Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister in fifth place.

  Player	Nationality	Weekly wages in GBP	Weekly wages in USD	Annual wages in GBP	Annual wages in USD
  Mohamed Salah	Egyptian	£400,000	$536,361	£20,800,000	$27,890,776
  Virgil van Dijk	Dutch	£350,000	$469,316	£18,200,000	$24,404,429
  Trent Alexander-Arnold	English	£180,000	$241,362	£9,360,000	$12,550,849
  Andrew Robertson	Scottish	£160,000	$214,544	£8,320,000	$11,156,310
  Alexis Mac Allister	Argentine	£150,000	$201,135	£7,800,000	$10,459,041

• Top 5 earners in the Premier League

  Erling Haaland is the Premier League's top-paid player, with a contract at Manchester City until 2034. Kevin De Bruyne is second, followed by Mohamed Salah in third.

  Casemiro is Manchester United's only entry at fourth, and Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk is fifth.

  Player	Club	Weekly wages in GBP	Weekly wages in USD	Annual wages in GBP	Annual wages in USD
  Erling Haaland	Manchester City	£525,000	$703,974	£27,300,000	$36,606,644
  Kevin De Bruyne	Manchester City	£400,000	$536,361	£20,800,000	$27,890,776
  Mohamed Salah	Liverpool	£400,000	$536,361	£20,800,000	$27,890,776
  Casemiro	Manchester United	£350,000	$469,316	£18,200,000	$24,404,429
  Virgil Van Dijk	Liverpool	£350,000	$469,316	£18,200,000	$24,404,429

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  Highest paid players in the world

  Premier League salaries are high, but these players are not the top earners globally.

  Cristiano Ronaldo, the leading scorer in Champions League history, is the highest earner at Al Nassr. His former Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema, follows him.

  Riyad Mahrez, previously with Manchester City, ranks third, while Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly from Senegal are fourth and fifth.

  Player	Club	Weekly wages GBP	Weekly wages USD	Annual wages GBP	Annual wages USD
  Cristiano Ronaldo	Al Nassr	£3,270,519	$4,385,050	£170,066,890	$228,022,620
  Karim Benzema	Al Ittihad	£1,635,259	$2,192,525	£85,033,490	$114,011,310
  Riyad Mahrez	Al Ahli	£853,605	$1,144,498	£44,387,482	$59,513,904
  Sadio Mane	Al Nassr	£654,104	$877,010	£34,013,396	$45,604,524
  Kalidou Koulibaly	Al Hilal	£567,435	$760,806	£29,506,621	$39,561,925

Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay found himself mobbed by fans after Antonio Conte's side moved a step closer to winning the Scudetto.

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• Napoli one win away from Serie A title
• McTominay starring for Antonio Conte's side
• Fans mob midfielder in his car

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Manchester United star McTominay was caught up in chaotic scenes after returning from Napoli's draw with Parma. The result, coupled with Inter's draw against Lazio, means Napoli are top of the table heading into the final round of Serie A matches. Napoli fans could not hide their delight at the situation and mobbed McTominay after spotting the midfielder in his car after the game.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  McTominay has quickly become a fan favourite at Napoli after scoring 11 times in Serie A in his debut campaign. His goals have helped put Napoli just one win away from the league title and have already seen fans create a shrine to the Scotland international in the heart of the city.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NAPOLI

  Napoli and McTominay will be crowned champions on Friday if they beat Cagliari at home. Inter head into the game in second and can take advantage of any slip-up. They sit just one point behind and face a trip to Como on the final day.

Eddie Howe’s season has been something of a rollercoaster. The frustration from a disappointing end to the summer transfer window seeped onto the field and Newcastle United toiled through the opening months.

But now the Magpies are into the Carabao Cup final, have set up a date with Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round and are pushing for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Let’s have a look at some of Tyneside’s standout stars, those making it happen.

Newcastle's best players this season

Let’s get the obvious one out of the way: Alexander Isak has been sensational at the front of the Newcastle ship, posting 19 goals and five assists from 29 matches in all competitions. Alan Shearer hailed him as “world-class” and it would take a brave fan to dispute it.

Jacob Murphy deserves some praise too, having been a consistent source of energy and output from the right flank after efforts to sign a new winger failed during the summer.

Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton continue to impress in the middle of the park, but Sandro Tonali’s emergence after a challenging and disrupted 2023/24 season has been wonderful to witness.

However, Anthony Gordon’s ceaseless pursuit of greatness has seen him become one of the Premier League’s standout wingers. Given that he came close to leaving St. James’ Park last summer, it’s brilliant to feel the effect of Howe retaining his services.

Newcastle have hit the jackpot on Anthony Gordon

When Newcastle signed Gordon from Everton for £45m in January 2023, many English football fans were unconvinced. It took him until the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign to get going, but now he’s firing on all cylinders.

The Premier League is chock-full of talented wide players, with the likes of Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha the men of the moment right now, but Gordon has been reliable and dangerous for nearly two years now, and Newcastle wouldn’t switch him for another.

Gordon was bestowed the honour of Newcastle’s 23/24 Player of the Season for his remarkable performances amid the club’s injury concerns. And he’s maintained his level, boding well for the future.

Though his output has decreased – Gordon averaged a goal involvement every 0.60 games in 2023/24 compared to 0.46 this term – the winger’s underlying data has remained largely intact, even proving to be a bit more potent with his creativity.

It’s a marker of his ability that the biggest institutions have taken note, with Liverpool being offered the Merseyside native last summer in a £75m deal, Fabrizio Romano confirming the interest.

Some might say ‘English tax’, but Gordon is one of the finest wingers in Europe and has been hailed as a “machine on the pitch” and a “relentless monster” by journalist and content creator Sripad, illustrating Gordon’s matchless mentality.

It goes to show that he’s worth the money, with Marmoush, for example, joining Man City in a £59m deal last month and already claiming his first match ball.

Cunha’s also the talk of the town in Wolverhampton, with his fine goal at Anfield last weekend taking his tally to 12 goals from 24 Premier League games for his relegation-threatened side. The Brazilian reportedly has a £70m price tag at Molineux.

The £75m-rated Gordon is not only worth more than that pair but is also the real deal, an integral part of Howe’s system who could possibly get his mitts on some silverware before the end of the campaign.

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He’s been worth every penny – and then some.

Newcastle made a bigger mistake than Minteh by selling "throwback" star

Newcastle already sold “throwback” star who’s an even bigger mistake than Minteh

By
Connor Holden

Feb 17, 2025

Wolves star Matheus Cunha has been warned he is going from "one relegation battle to another" as Manchester United close in on his signature.

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• Cunha wanted by United
• Red Devils to pay his release clause
• Fans divided on his potential move

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United have agreed to pay Cunha's £62.5 million ($84m) release clause ahead of a deal that will see the striker leave Wolves and move to Old Trafford. The Brazilian scored 15 Premier League goals in 2024-25, as Wolves finished 16th. Fans have reacted with a mixture of elation, mainly from United supporters, to dismay, from rivals, who claim he is going from "one relegation battle to another". United finished 15th, level on points with Wolves.

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  WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  @ManCityHardcore said: "This guy is Saido Berahino."

  @TheFootballPark added: "Interesting to see how this pans out. Cunha has shown glimpses of brilliance and utter madness."

  @AFC_Winter said: "62.5m for Cunha is insane."

  @JGreenyy claimed: "15th in the league. When United call, it's different."

  @ThekingsmanUG said: "We coming for that league bro."

  @Chadclarke1990 concluded: "From one relegation battle to another but on loads more money. Smart guy."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Cunha has won 13 caps for Brazil and made a total of 92 appearances for Wolves, scoring 33 goals and registering 15 assists. He previously played for Atletico Madrid but, during his time at one of the biggest clubs in Spain, he only managed seven goals in 54 games.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Cunha will hope to complete his move to United soon enough. Whether he ends up in another relegation battle, however, remains to be seen.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is ready to take a significant financial loss on a member of the Spurs squad this summer after claims he wants to leave the club, with one side planning to open early negotiations for his signature.

Players who could leave Tottenham this summer

Ange Postecoglou is currently preparing his side for an all-important Premier League clash at home to Bournemouth tomorrow, following a tepid 1-0 defeat away to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.

Tottenham lay groundwork to re-sign former Spurs player wanted by West Ham

Lilywhites chairman Daniel Levy is growing interested in a reunion.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 7, 2025

A win is absolutely crucial for the north Londoners, as they seek to raise spirits, climb their way out of the bottom ten and head into their second leg against AZ with a degree of momentum.

For some members of the Lilywhites squad, these next two games, soon followed by the final months of this season, will represent a final chance for them to make a significant contribution for the club before departing.

Timo Werner is expected to return to parent club RB Leipzig, with Spurs electing to trigger the £8.5 million buy-option in his loan deal, while uncertainty also surrounds the future of midfielder Yves Bissouma.

Sergio Reguilon, Fraser Forster and Alfie Whiteman are also out of contract at the end of this season, but the trio are unlikely to play a major role under Postecoglou during the final months of their Tottenham careers.

Ben Davies is also out of contract in the summer. However, Spurs are expected to trigger the 12-month extension clause Davies’ deal, which will keep him at the club for 2025/2026.

Mathys Tel’s long-term future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be determined by whether he elects to remain at N17 or return to parent club Bayern Munich, with Postecoglou’s side possessing an option to buy for around £45 million.

According to some reports, injury-ridden striker Richarlison could also leave this year.

The Brazil international is currently sidelined with a calf problem, and has suffered real bad luck with long-term injuries throughout the campaign. It is believed by some media sources that Richarlison has already told friends he wants to leave Tottenham for a fresh start this summer, with GiveMeSport sharing an update on his future.

Daniel Levy ready to take £20m Tottenham loss on Richarlison

Spurs signed the forward in a £60 million deal from Everton in 2022, but GMS report that Levy is now ready to sell Richarlison for just £40 million.

This is said to have piqued interest from his ex-club, with David Moyes’ side apparently eager to open discussions over a deal for the South American early in the next transfer window.

Everton have earmarked Richarlison as a “shock” target for Moyes, as per this report, and the Toffees are lining up a “sensational” move for their former star as they prepare for life in a brand-new, state-of-the-art stadium on Bramley Moore Dock next season.

Richarlison has impressed in flashes during his time at Spurs, most notably over a purple patch midway through last season, with pundit Micah Richards also calling him an “underrated” player.

Newcastle United supporters could hardly believe their eyes come the full-time whistle at Wembley on Sunday as the club’s long domestic silverware drought of 70 years was finally put to bed.

The Magpies pulled off a shock 2-1 win on the biggest stage over Arne Slot’s soon-to-be Premier League champions in Liverpool to lift the EFL Cup, with Eddie Howe’s camp now immortalised forevermore at St James’ Park as the group that put Tyneside firmly on the footballing map.

Not even all-time greats such as Alan Shearer could pull off a moment such as this when he was playing, with the notorious sharpshooter tasting silverware at Blackburn Rovers in the form of a top-flight title success, but amazingly went trophyless at the Toon.

Shearer's legendary status at Newcastle

No one can say Shearer didn’t enjoy great times donning his beloved black and white stripes.

Indeed, the now-retired striker went on to win three Premier League golden boots leading the line for his hometown club among other personal accolades.

The much-loved number nine’s long-standing association with the Toon would also see him become the division’s all-time top-scorer, with a jaw-dropping 260 strikes coming his way from 441 total league appearances, meaning a trophy here and there falling to the wayside is a pill that can be swallowed.

Shearer did get to two FA Cup finals as a Magpie, but both times Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United would outsmart Newcastle, leaving the 63-time England international empty-handed in that regard.

That’s where the Newcastle stars of today can one up the lethal marksman, with this equally deadly attacker now heading down the path of forging a better legacy for himself at St James’ Park than the goalscoring titan.

Newcastle star could leave with a bigger legacy than Shearer

Every single member of the starting XI against Liverpool will be remembered for some time now, with Dan Burn’s bullet header against the Reds reaffirming his status as a fan’s favourite.

Meanwhile, Bruno Guimaraes’ visible emotions at the end cemented his own tag as a memorable captain figure.

That’s before we’ve even mentioned the Swedish goal machine that is Alexander Isak, with the ex-Real Sociedad centre-forward sealing the historic victory in the English capital when smashing this early second-half effort past a startled Caoimhin Kelleher.

This crucial strike would give the Newcastle masses more breathing room to dream inside Wembley, with a two-goal cushion proving to be worthwhile come the end of the frantic contest, especially when Federico Chiesa got Slot’s men back into the game right at the death.

Ultimately, however, Isak’s 23rd goal of the season would gift Howe’s men their long awaited silverware, with the 6 foot 4 striker now up to a mightily impressive 58 strikes in total for the Magpies from 100 clashes.

That’s some distance from ever eclipsing Shearer’s ridiculous goal haul, but it must be said that Isak has now bettered the distinguished Premier League Hall of Fame member when it comes to firing home strike after strike that then results in a jubliant trophy success.

Isak could well tarnish his ever-rising popularity at St James’ Park if he was to uproot this coming summer though, with the likes of Arsenal and now reportedly Slot’s men sniffing around, but his legacy if he does depart has been undoubtedly boosted by the heroics he provided on Sunday evening.

Alternatively, Isak could sense this is just the beginning for Newcastle in terms of picking up illustrious honours, as the “world-class” attacker – as he was once labelled by Shearer himself – aims to keep firing in the goals to round off the Toon’s successful 2024/25 season with a potential top four finish.

If he stayed and fired the Toon to even greater success, he could well better that man Shearer’s legacy at St James’ Park. Wouldn’t that be a story?

Not just Burn: 10/10 Newcastle ace had his "greatest game in black & white"

Newcastle United sealed a historic Carabao Cup victory.

By
Kelan Sarson

Mar 16, 2025

Antony reportedly has "no future" at Manchester United despite his Real Betis loan revival, with the Red Devils still looking to find a buyer.

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• Moved to Old Trafford in summer of 2022
• Struggled to justify hefty price tag
• Rediscovered spark during spell in Spain

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazil international arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 as part of an £85 million ($115m) transfer package. He struggled to deliver much of a return on that investment, registering just 12 goals for United through 96 appearances.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  A move to Spain was sanctioned in January, with Antony – who has admitted to falling out of love with football at Old Trafford – rediscovering a lost spark in style as he found the target on nine occasions for Betis and graced the Conference League final.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The 25-year-old’s exploits, coupled with the struggles being endured by United, led some to suggest that Antony could earn a fresh start in Manchester. According to , that will not be the case.

  It is claimed United are "determined to sanction Antony’s permanent departure", with the South American having it made that no slates will be wiped clean in England. Instead, the Red Devils will seek to generate much-needed money from a sale.

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  TELL ME MORE

  Officials in Manchester are said to be "desperately searching for a buyer" for Antony, with United willing to listen to bids of around £30m ($41m). They want him off their wage bill, freeing up funds and squad space for new recruits.