The football season is in full flow and the winter transfer window is rapidly approaching, with it opening in just a little less than two months. As always, the period building up to the transfer window, which opens in January, will create a lot of football transfer rumours. We sat down and talked to one of the most trustworthy transfer journalists in the world in Gianluca Di Marzio, who shared an update on the future of ex-Barcelona winger Neymar, as well as Manchester United’s Antony.
Neymar signed a big deal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal but his spell at the club has been far from successful as the Brazilian superstar has dealt with a lot of injuries throughout his time in Saudi Arabia.
Antony, another Brazilian winger, has had a very tough time at Man United, where he has been massively criticised for failing to set the world alight. Now that Man United have hired a new manager, it could give a bit of hope for Antony to get a revival.
According to Di Marzio, the future of both players is up in the air, however, the journalist finds it very unlikely that Neymar will return to Europe, while he believes Antony could be given a chance under new manager Ruben Amorim.
Neymar wants to stay in Saudi Arabia or move back to Brazil
A lot of rumours have been circulating around the future of Neymar. There has even been suggestions that he could return to Europe, but this is something which Di Marzio finds very unlikely, as he believes that Neymar would prefer to stay in Saudi Arabia or move home to Brazil.
Speaking about Neymar’s future, Di Marzio said: “We will have to see how Neymar is recovering and if he can find the rhythm. In modern football to run and have that intensity is so important. He has the talent, but right now people are waiting to see how he is coming back. Maybe clubs will give him another opportunity in Europe, but he has a really high salary, so if he wants to come back to Europe he has to cut a lot of his salary.”
“I don’t know if he wants to come back to European football. He probably wants to play in Saudi Arabia or come back to Brazil, where he can be a hero. I don’t think it is very likely or easy that he can come back to Europe right now. In Europe, you have to train a lot, and I don’t know if he wants to do that. It’s not easy.”
Man United do not want to get rid of Antony at this current time
New manager and a new chance. That’s what Di Marzio thinks will happen for Antony as he believes that Man United do not want to sell Antony at this moment in time.
Di Marzio said: “The truth is that Antony can find his place at Man United under another manager now. A lot of players at Man United have had problems not playing up to their best, but he definitely has another chance under another coach.”
“Antony is not a player they just want to get rid of. He needs to have a team around him where his skills and his talent can shine. Of course, they will take the decision in January, but I think he will get a chance under another manager.”
Antony has never managed to reach the potential that many believe he has whilst he has been playing football in England. He only has 12 goals in 87 appearances for his current club, but he now has one more chance to prove he can make it at Old Trafford.
