Antony’s Man Utd saga ‘inching towards a conclusion’

Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement with Real Betis over the sale of attacker Antony on transfer deadline day.

The 25-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the La Liga club after falling down the pecking order under Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim.

Antony recorded nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances for Manuel Pellegrini’s side and helped them to reach the Conference League final, where they were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea.

Aware that he is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, Antony has expressed his desire to return to Betis this summer and Man United have been keen to negotiate a permanent sale on their terms.

Recent reports claimed that the Red Devils had agreed a fee in principle with Betis, but the Spanish club soon withdrew their offer and the deal looked to be in the balance amid tension over the financial aspects of the proposed transfer.

Betis released a statement claiming that they “can’t afford the fee and the amounts that Manchester United must instead pay the player before the transfer,” referring to the player’s £6m-per-year salary and the reduction required for him to leave Old Trafford.

Antony sale to Betis ‘agreed’, but another twist could materialise

However, according to The Athletic, Man United will now make no further payment to Antony and both clubs have agreed a fee of €25m (£21.6m), with an additional €3m (£2.6m) in potential bonuses.

The report adds that the deal includes a sell-on clause for the Red Devils, which would see them receive 50% of the profit Betis make on a future transfer.

Betis have been keen to bring Antony back to Spain throughout this summer and his return is said to be ‘inching towards a conclusion’, but there could yet be another twist in this transfer saga.

Indeed, it is understood that Antony is seeking for both clubs to find a way to ensure that he can secure the €4m shortfall he will encounter upon taking a significant wage cut to join Betis before the deadline.

Sources from Betis have claimed that the La Liga club is not prepared to go any higher with their current offer and their agreement would be considered ‘withdrawn and no longer valid’ unless this issue with the player and Man United is resolved.

Antony remains hopeful of leaving Man United where he has scored just 12 goals in 96 appearances all competitions since being signed from Ajax by former boss Erik ten Hag for around £85m in the summer of 2022.

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