Manchester United flop Antony is reportedly on the cusp of joining La Liga club Real Betis in a deal worth €25 million in the final hours of the summer transfer window.
According to a report by David Ornstein on The Athletic, Antony has been the subject of interest from Real Betis. The Andalusian giants have been keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a wide attacker in the summer transfer window. So, the 25-year-old Manchester United misfit has been the top target for Los Verdiblancos.
Real Betis and Manchester United have finally struck an agreement over a deal worth €25 million. Meanwhile, the Premier League club will have a 50 per cent sell-on clause in the arrangement, and they will make no payment to the former Ajax winger after reports suggested that he was demanding a severance package from them.
Antony and his disastrous Manchester United spell
Antony has been several big-money flops for Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. The 25-year-old winger arrived from Ajax in August 2022 amid considerable scrutiny over the transfer fee. The South American attacker never justified the valuation, and he struggled to make his mark in his first two and a half seasons with Manchester United.
However, the Brazilian international turned things around during his loan spell with Real Betis in the second half of the 2024/25 season, amassing nine goals and five assists in 26 outings, nearly matching his paltry output for Manchester United in a fraction of the games. Meanwhile, his progress compelled Real Betis to seek another move in the summer transfer window.
La Liga return on the horizon
Real Betis’s interest in Antony makes sense. The Andalusian giants have been scouring the market for a wide attacker this summer after the Manchester United misfit returned to Old Trafford after the end of his loan spell several weeks ago. However, Los Verdiblancos’ initial proposals did not convince Manchester United.
To make matters worse, Antony’s insistence on joining Real Betis by rejecting other proposals left the Premier League club dismayed, forcing them to deliver an ultimatum at one point. However, talks between Manchester United and Real Betis ramped up in the past week, and the two clubs have finally found a common ground after initially having an agreement in principle.
Real Betis will fork out €25 million to sign 25-year-old Brazilian international, with Manchester United receiving a 25 per cent sell-on clause. Additionally, Manchester United will “make no further payment” to the player after earlier reports suggested he was seeking a severance package.
