Besiktas Target Antony for Major Summer Signing

Besiktas are making a big swing in the market – and they’ve picked a familiar name from Old Trafford and Amsterdam.

According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, the Istanbul giants have targeted former Manchester United winger Antony as their marquee attacking signing after missing out on Mohamed Salah, who chose a move to Trabzonspor instead. Losing that race has only sharpened Besiktas’ intent. They want a headline act on the flank, and the Brazilian fits the bill.

This is not a speculative punt. The club’s hierarchy are pushing to inject proven quality and European experience into the squad before the new campaign kicks off. Landing a player with Antony’s profile would be a clear statement that Besiktas intend to punch hard in both the Super Lig and in Europe.

Antony's Journey

Antony’s journey has already seen him smash records. In 2022, he left Ajax for Manchester United in a deal worth at least €95 million, becoming the Dutch club’s record outgoing transfer. The move, and the fee, carried huge expectations. He never quite lived up to them at Old Trafford, endured a difficult spell, and eventually left on loan before sealing a permanent transfer to Real Betis last year for €22 million.

Spain has rebuilt his reputation. At Betis last season, Antony delivered the kind of numbers that first drew Europe’s elite to him: 14 goals and 10 assists in all competitions. Sharp, direct, and far more decisive in the final third, he reminded everyone why he once commanded a near nine-figure fee.

Even so, the door is not shut on a sale. Reports in Spain suggest Real Betis are prepared to listen if a strong offer lands on the table. The Andalusian club know his value has climbed again and may see this summer as the moment to cash in.

Besiktas, though, are not alone. Clubs from across Europe’s top five leagues are tracking the situation, alerted by his resurgence in La Liga. Scouts have taken note, and the competition for his signature is real.

Any deal will not come cheap. Antony’s market value is currently estimated at around €40 million, and his contract in Seville runs until mid-2030. That gives Betis leverage and turns this into a complex negotiation for Besiktas, who will have to navigate both the fee and the long-term commitment.

If they pull it off, the right wing in Istanbul suddenly becomes a fiercely contested zone. Antony would reunite with former Ajax team-mate Václav Cerny, setting up an intriguing battle for the starting berth on that flank. For a club demanding more cutting edge in the final third, that kind of internal competition is exactly what they want.

Besiktas are described as ready to explore every possible avenue to make the transfer happen before the window closes. The next few days will be decisive as they test Real Betis’ resolve and measure their own ambition against the financial reality.

The question now is simple: can Besiktas turn a bold idea into one of the standout moves of the summer, or will Antony’s revival in Spain carry him to a different European stage?