Bahia Wants to Take Antony from Portland Timbers | OneFootball

Antony, a 23-year-old Brazilian forward, plays for the Portland Timbers. And now, Bahia is reportedly interested in him. The Brazilian club, which has been heavily investing lately to make a name for itself as one of Brazil's top teams, is keeping an eye on the international market. Makes sense, right? The club’s now under City Group management, they’ve got the money, the vision, and they're looking to build a competitive squad. But here’s the thing, so far, it’s all just talk.

The "Tricolor de Aço" (Steel Tricolor) is basically just keeping tabs on Antony right now. What does that mean? Well, they’re checking in on how he’s doing in the MLS and maybe, just maybe, getting ready to make an offer. But as of now, no official proposal has been made.

Antony isn’t exactly a household name internationally, but his career’s been interesting. He came from Joinville, spent time in Corinthians' youth system, and had a short stint at Arouca in Portugal. Nothing too flashy, but solid. In 2023, he landed in the MLS with the Portland Timbers, and his numbers are… decent. Over 46 games, he scored 8 goals and got 5 assists. So, he’s not the kind of guy who’s gonna light up the scoreboard every week, but he’s not just there to make up the numbers, either.

If Bahia’s looking for a young forward with potential and some international experience, it could be a good move. The MLS isn’t a second-tier league; in fact, it’s been growing a lot in recent years. But let’s be real: Antony hasn’t exactly proven he’s a game-changer. He’s not a superstar, not a natural-born scorer, and honestly, those numbers don’t make him stand out in a crowd. If Bahia wants someone who’ll make an impact, they might need to aim a little higher.

Another thing to consider is his contract. Antony’s locked in with Portland Timbers until the end of 2026. That means, if Bahia wants to snag him, they’re gonna have to pay up. And it won’t be cheap. The MLS market isn’t like it used to be, when Brazilian clubs could scoop up players on the cheap. These days, American teams know how to negotiate. If Bahia really wants Antony, they’ll need to come in with a convincing offer.

Bahia’s coach, Rogério Ceni, likes attackers who are constantly on the move, not just waiting around in the box. If that’s the kind of player they’re looking for, Antony could fit the bill. He’s not a classic number 9, but he’s got speed, knows how to create space, and could be useful in a more dynamic system.

But here’s the big question: Is it really worth bringing in a guy who’s still in the process of finding his stride? Bahia already has some players on the team who are still developing. Wouldn’t it make more sense to go for someone more established? If Bahia wants to take a chance on Antony, they’re going to have to trust his potential.