
Bayer Leverkusen keep tabs on Antony just days after hiring his old Man United boss Erik ten Hag - but face stiff competition from Real Betis
Bayer Leverkusen are monitoring developments with Manchester United winger Antony who is wanted back at Real Betis.
A move to Germany would see Antony link up with former manager Erik Ten Hag for the third time.
The Dutchman brought Antony to United for £81million in 2022, having signed him for Ajax two years earlier.
He is being lined up as a possible replacement for Florian Wirtz, who looks set to move to Anfield.
Liverpool have made a £105m offer for Leverkusen's star but they value him at £126m.
While Antony disappointed at Old Trafford, scoring just 12 goals in 96 appearances, he has dazzled fans in his six-month stint in Spain, as he dragged Betis to the Conference League final.
The 25-year-old scored nine goals in 24 starts, earning rave review, while club legend Joaquin even joked that he would kidnap Antony to keep him next season.
The Seville-based outfit are desperate to keep Antony but will need to shell out a significant sum, which they are unlikely to afford, and fend off competition for his signature from other clubs, leaving Antony in limbo.
Remarkably, Betis's record transfer fee is still the £21.5m they paid for Denilson in 1998 - a world record at the time.
Antony is currently set to return to Old Trafford despite admitting he did not have the strength to play with his son and would go days without eating, locked in his room, while at the club.
A return to Amorim's side is not beyond the question and he was involved in all but one of the Portuguese boss's squads before his loan move.
Quizzed on his future after Betis' 4-1 defeat by Chelsea in the Conference League final in Wroclaw, Antony admitted he was still none the wiser.
'I don't what will happen in the future, only God knows,' he told CBS Sports.
'My work is playing and I'm doing that well. I have a lot of affection for Betis, for everyone, but I have a contract with United and I don't know what's going to happen.
'Now I will go to the national team and then on holiday then we will see what happens in the future. I'm very happy here, everyone knows that but I have a contract.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
Nordic Darts Masters 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler ON NOW after Humphries scrapes quarter-finals spot
THE Nordic Darts Masters is now UNDERWAY - and some of the best throwers feature in Copenhagen! Luke Littler will make his tournament debut this evening as he faces Swedish newcomer Viktor Tingstrom. Gerwyn Price successfully began his title defence with a convincing 5-1 win against Cor Dekker. While Premier League winner Luke Humphries was forced to work for his quarter-final spot after beating Madars Ramza 6-5. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Follow our live blog below... Today, 17:17 By Nyle Smith Littler's last time at the oche It wasn't a good night out for Luke Littler when he last stepped up to the Oche. The teen sensation lost in the Premier League finals to rival Luke Humphries. But he'll be desperate to put all of that behind him. Today, 17:03 By Nyle Smith Luk who's back Luke Littler has not featured in any pro event other than the Premier League since his run at the German Darts Grand Prix back in April. The Nuke opted to skip the last four European Tour events to focus on the Premier League. But Littler is expected to compete at the Nordic Darts Masters this week as he looks to add to his two World Series of Darts titles. The world champion will take on Swedish newcomer Viktor Tingstrom in the first round of the tournament. It will be Littler's Nordic Darts Masters debut after he withdrew from last year's edition due to family commitments. Today, 17:02 By Nyle Smith Tonight's fixtures First round (best of 11 legs) Today, 17:01 By Nyle Smith Welcome to SunSport's coverage of the Nordic Darts Masters THIS season's European tour continues with the return of the Nordic Darts Masters - and some of the best throwers are set to compete TONIGHT in Copenhagen. Gerwyn Price beat Rob Cross 8-5 in a gruelling final to take home last year's crown. And the Welsh superstar will be determined to win back-to-back titles following his disappointing Premier League Finals defeat to crowd favourite Luke Littler. Speaking of Littler, the teen sensation takes part in the Nordic Darts Masters this year after missing out in 2024 due to family commitments. He'll be desperate to make amends for losing out on the £275k jackpot after losing in the showpiece match to Luke Humphries at the Premier League Finals - someone who is also competing in Copenhagen. Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall and Rob Cross are all on the big lineup too, but Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn as he is dealing with his divorce from wife Daphne.


The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
Only in UK could we be forced to pay for BBC then have to cough up for best TV on streaming services – it's got to stop
TURN on your TV today and you'll find schedules filled with true crime thrillers and celebrity reality shows or, at the other extreme, indulgent tripe pandering to Gen Z snowflakes. But unless the Big Five channels stop making so much b****ks and grow some balls, they're going to kill British TV as we know it. 5 5 5 Because BBC One and BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4 and 5 — whose listings increasingly read like a suicide note — are entering the final stages of a fight for their survival. They're up against Netflix, Sky, Prime Video and countless other corporations with deep pockets and big ambitions. Proof came this week in the unlikely form of Blind Date, a much-loved TV format that was once on ITV but has now been snapped up by Disney+. Yeah, that's right, Disney+. Paying through nose Years ago, the subscription services started out providing an alternative to traditional telly, then they began copying the traditional providers and, recently, they've started stealing their big-name talent — Jeremy Clarkson, Emma Willis, Amanda Holden, Holly Willoughby. Now the Blind Date deal shows that the super streamers are literally out to thrash the Big Five at their own game. The gloves have come off . . . but the increased competition won't stop us paying through the nose. Only in Britain could we be forced by law to shell out for a home-grown broadcasting service, only to find the best TV shows are increasingly made by largely foreign-owned streamers. Then — in the ultimate rip-off — we have to cough up even more money to watch them. That's the enraging situation we find ourselves in in the year 2025. Although there are some notable exceptions on the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, the consensus is that subscription services are now making the most electrifying programmes on the planet. Brassic Bids Farewell: Michelle Keegan's Final Series Think about it. Dramas including Adolescence, Baby Reindeer, Rivals, The White Lotus, Slow Horses. And consider the shows that have given us the biggest laughs over the past few years — hits like Last One Laughing, Ted Lasso, Brassic, Clarkson's Farm. None of the above was delivered by the traditional Big Five terrestrials. So, why can't the channels we already pay for make more of the TV that gets us excited? The obvious response from the top UK channels would be that they are still giving us blockbusters — Strictly, I'm A Celebrity, Bake Off, The Traitors, Love Island and dramas like Happy Valley or Mr Bates Vs The Post Office. 5 They are all, to be fair, brilliant. But so much of it is old now. It's predictable. And the new hits are few and far between. Though the streamers obviously have pots of cash to spend, it's not just a money problem either. Look no further than the recent co-production between Disney+ and the BBC on Doctor Who. It's easy to understand why other shows that are laden with CGI and big Hollywood stars end up on the streamers, but why is it that comedies like Ted Lasso never seem to pop up on ITV? Rod It was, by most people's standards, an unmitigated disaster. The studio giant pumped millions into cutting-edge special effects, sets that dazzled rather than wobbled and genuinely monstrous monsters. And what did the BBC do? They squandered it by turning a sci-fi classic into a series of woke lectures that had viewers turning off in droves. Now the Disney+ deal is hanging in the balance and they're having to bring back David Tennant. It's easy to understand why other shows that are laden with CGI and big Hollywood stars end up on the streamers, but why is it that comedies like Ted Lasso never seem to pop up on ITV? ITV, by the way, recently spent millions launching The Genius Game, with David Tennant as host, only to end up with one of their most expensive flops in years. And the one thing I thought while watching the brilliant, gritty drama Adolescence was, this could easily have been done by Channel 4. Neither Adolescence nor Ted Lasso would have cost that much to produce, surely? It's not Star Wars or Bridgerton. Pure extortion Part of the problem, it seems, is that a lot of creatives and execs now don't just chase the money — they also chase trends and credibility. At last month's TV Baftas, around a third of the nominations went to streamers — a figure that's been growing rapidly over the past decade. That, too, could reach a tipping point in a couple of years. The solution is glaringly obvious, but not easy. If Disney+ steal Blind Date, come up with the next Blind Date. If they lose Clarkson to Prime Video, find the next Jeremy. If Netflix do Bridgerton, come up with another twist on the period drama. They need to stop the rot in terrestrial telly, because one day a cluster of these streamers will start offering a one-price-buys-all subscription deal that will make the licence fee look like pure extortion. Then public service broadcasting's days really will be numbered.


The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
Inside David Beckham's 10 year battle to bag a knighthood after hat-trick of setbacks including tax row & leaked emails
IT has been ten years of tears, toil and the one unfortunate tantrum, but FINALLY David Beckham has landed his knighthood. Never has a man grafted harder — or deserved the nod — more. 8 8 8 Quite how Goldenballs has turned things around following a hat-trick of personal disasters — more on them later — is testament to both the man himself and his incredible work ethic. Last night, a friend said: 'Quite simply, this is the ultimate accolade for David. 'Forget the medals, the trophies, the global fame and the millions in the bank. As a genuine and devoted royalist this means more to him than anything. It is his lifetime's work — and he's still only 50. 'People don't seem to realise how hard David works. His determination and work ethic is second to none. 'Despite all the setbacks, he knew he could turn things around and prove people wrong. And he's done it. 'His family and friends are incredibly proud, and David himself is beyond happy. 'After all these years, he's still a bit of a mum's boy and is so thrilled his mum Sandra gets to see this. It is a huge moment in the Beckham clan.' For millions of fans, the knighthood is long overdue. And certainly, within hours of The Sun breaking the news yesterday, social media was flooded with messages of congratulations. Only a cynic, or a republican, could deny David Robert Joseph Beckham this honour. A former England captain — a player whose last-gasp free kick against Greece in 2001 sent the nation through to the World Cup finals — his career on the pitch was Roy Of The Rovers stuff. But it is off the pitch where Becks has really come into his own, single-handedly revolutionising how players regard themselves. Rather than being seen as a fledgling commodity, Becks (ably assisted by a commercially driven team who recognised his poster boy looks, talent and genuine goodness) had the foresight to market himself as a brand. In short, he has transcended the sport. With more endorsement deals than you can shake a stick at, such canniness meant that by the age of 35, David knew he need never kick a ball or work again, if he so chose. Until Becks came along, retirement for top-flight players — many of whom leave school without so much as a GCSE to their name — meant a life of lost identity and panic. Now, inspired by Becks Inc, newer stars have secured their own marketing rights, ensuring a golden future away from the pitch. A generation of footballers' kids and grandkids will have David to thank for their homes, cars and private school education. In short, David was, and continues to be, a trailblazer. While it is his wife — the soon-to- be Lady Beckham — who is the acclaimed fashion designer, ironically it is Beckham who created the defining aesthetic of the 21st Century: The tattoo sleeve. Trailblazer His first inking came in 1999 — a dedication to his eldest son, Brooklyn. How sad, then, that the 26-year-old influencer, who hasn't spoken to his dad meaningfully in seven months, only found out about the knighthood after being directed to The Sun's exclusive story by pals. David would never ever want to be uncouth and openly brag about his honour. He knows how to behave A friend However, this could well be a decorum thing. After all, once the letter from the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood comes in the post, recipients are politely asked to keep schtum. It is, as David well knows, considered terribly poor etiquette to tell all and sundry in advance of the official publication. Yesterday, however, he excitedly took to Instagram to re-post reports, published in this newspaper, about the King's latest Birthday Honours. A friend added: 'Honestly, after all the speculation over the past few weeks, until he's on bended knee in front of the King, David won't quite believe it. 'Obviously he's shared the news with his immediate family but he won't be doing any formal celebrations until after the ceremony. 8 8 'David would never ever want to be uncouth and openly brag about his honour. He knows how to behave. 'He is still not in contact with Brooklyn and, frankly, it would have been weird for him to reach out and tell him, so he didn't. It is up to Brooklyn now if he wishes to extend an olive branch and send on his congratulations. 'It is so sad because family means everything to David and he would love his entire clan to be at the investiture. Only time will tell though, but at the moment it is looking unlikely. But for now, David wants to just focus on the positives and celebrate this incredible achievement.' One can only imagine how proud his loving parents, Sandra and Ted, must be. The whole family adores the monarchy, as David's remarkable 12-hour vigil in line in 2022 to pay his respects to the late Queen proved. Over the past year he has also developed a touching relationship with King Charles — something a young Chingford-raised David could, surely, never have imagined. So much so that the monarch even sent over a birthday gift by courier to mark the star's 50th last month. Again, David has only shared with his inner circle what the gift was, although I am told it is, 'Something personal to Charles and David, something special'. Human side In return, of course, David has sent the King regular supplies of his homegrown honey. His friendship with Prince William, meanwhile, continues to flourish. The pair are on texting terms, and as William is an Aston Villa fan and Patron of the FA, much of their chat is football-related. But William also credits Becks with helping him navigate fame and the endless public scrutiny he faces each day. Despite David's well-documented highs, the path to this coveted knighthood has not been smooth. After all these years, he's still a bit of a mum's boy and is so thrilled his mum Sandra gets to see this. It is a huge moment in the Beckham clan A friend His sporting and charity endeavours — he has been a devoted Unicef ambassador for 20 years and was recently on the front cover of Time magazine in recognition of his philanthropy — should, on paper, have seen him recognised years ago. But he has had some widely publicised, erm, hiccups. These include the leaking of private emails in 2017 in which, embarrassingly, he labelled the Honours Committee 'unappreciative c***s'. Not very decorous. But in credit to David, he refused to kowtow to Russian hackers and pay their £1million ransom to stop the hacked emails being made public. While initially there was some outrage, his genuine passion and frustration also showed his human side. 'Thoroughly decent' It only endeared him further to many of the public, me included, who have variously questioned the committee's track record. Alongside a raft of other celebrities, including Ant and Dec, Gary Lineker, Wayne Rooney and Bob Geldof, he was also famously caught up in the Ingenious tax avoidance scheme. HMRC won a case against the film financing tax-avoidance scheme, which then saw those involved landed with a huge backdated tax bill. However, in 2021 David was cleared by tax chiefs after proving his financial affairs were all in order, giving him the green light for a knighthood. And earlier this month he appeared on The Sunday Times Rich List, worth a combined £500million alongside his Spice Girl wife. A £100million 2022 World Cup deal with Qatar, a state where it is illegal to be gay, did not sit well with many fans — especially as he had previously graced the cover of gay lifestyle magazine Attitude and has always been a proud LGBTQ ally. But again, he was vindicated following the World Cup, with Qatar welcoming all-comers and showing willingness to be more moderate in its views. Becks' recent four-part Netflix documentary — one of the streamer's most watched shows in 2023 — was also a game-changer for the former Manchester United midfield ace. David has lived an utterly extraordinary life but, through it all, he has remained a kind, patient and thoroughly decent man A friend In it, he did not shy away from any topics and refused to make it dedicated solely to his do-gooding. Indeed, it even referenced his worst footballing moment — that 1998 sending-off against Argentina in the France World Cup that led to effigies of him being hanged across the country. Showing just how full circle he has come, the documentary featured Diego Simeone, the other player at the centre of the red card incident. The pair have long been pals. Says a friend: 'David has lived an utterly extraordinary life but, through it all, he has remained a kind, patient and thoroughly decent man. 'Utterly extraordinary life 'Every single day he is approached for selfies and autographs, and he does it all with such good grace. He knows he has a responsibility and does his utmost to use his platform for good. 'He also does countless work behind the scenes that doesn't get written about or publicised. 'You would be hard-pressed to find someone with a bad word to say against him. 'It has been a long time coming, but finally David has what he has always dreamed of.' Arise, Sir David. 8 8