Manchester United is interested in signing Brazilian striker Gabriel Barbosa in January and is willing to offer Antony on loan in exchange.
Marcus Rashford, who scored 30 goals last season, has only scored one this season for United. Rasmus Hojlund has three goals, while Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Martial have each scored once.
United are currently planning for January, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposal to buy a 25% share in the club continues. United must handle Financial Fair Play restrictions and are seeking low-cost deals to add more attacking options before substantial new investment is finalized.
Barbosa, 27, has scored 18 goals in all competitions for Flamengo this season and is available at a reduced fee of £20 million because his contract expires at the end of 2024.
Flamengo are also interested in taking Barbosa’s Brazilian compatriot Anthony on loan from United in exchange for the forward, who has five goals in 18 appearances for his country.
Antony, 23, who cost £82 million from Ajax in 2022, has yet to score this season and has only appeared 11 times in a difficult season marred by claims of domestic violence. He is under contract until 2027, so a permanent departure is improbable.
In other news, United are set to face competition from AC Milan for Barbosa, who had a disappointing period at Inter Milan but still wants to show himself in European football. After joining from Santos, he made ten appearances for the Serie A giants, but only scored once.
West Ham United attempted to sign Barbosa in January of last year but were unable to complete a deal. Other possible targets for United are 31-year-old Porto centre-forward Mehdi Taremi, who impressed for Iran at the World Cup and is out of contract next summer.
