While Manchester United struggle to get Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho off the books, at least Antony appears set to make life a little easier for Ruben Amorim and co.
It is no secret that the Brazil international wants to return to Real Betis after a stellar loan spell at the La Liga outfit in the second half of last season.
Furthermore, United in Focus understands that Antony is willing to take a substantial wage cut to avoid being priced out of a permanent move to Andalusia. Football correspondent Graeme Bailey believes the winger could reduce his wages by 50 per cent, from £200,000-a-week.
And as Real Betis prepare to sell Johnny Cardoso to Atletico Madrid – adding a cool £25 million to their summer budget – another domino appeared to fall this week.
Manu Fajardo, the club’s sporting director, admits that this will still be a ‘very complex’ situation to arrange as Manchester United look to recoup a respectable portion of that disastrous £82 million investment.
But, with every day that passes, the chances of Antony donning the green and white jersey once again appear to grow larger.
Antony celebrates a Real Betis goal against Chelsea
Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Real Betis boss Manu Fajardo hopeful of Antony deal with Manchester United
In another boost, both for Man United and Real Betis, Antony reportedly rejected a move to Serie A outfit Como a few days ago. Not that his obvious determination to rejoin a club where he provided nine goals and five assists in only 26 matches comes as too much of a shock at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
“I’m not surprised [Antony wants to come back to Betis],” Fajardo tells Marca.
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“When a player arrives here and has such an immediate impact, it is not a coincidence. It is the result of the work, sacrifice and seriousness of everyone on a daily basis for Antony to perform and give his best version and for all the players who come to do so.”
United in Focus understands that Real Betis have come up with the idea of including a staggering 60 per cent sell-on clause in Antony’s contract, in order to drive down his eventual transfer fee.
“We all have to be aware that Antony is a very complex operation because of the level of the player,” Fajardo adds. “[And] because of his most recent spell at Betis. It is not easy but, as long as he has not committed to another club, we are going to play our cards to try to sign him.
“We will try to carry out different formulas without mortgaging the club. The sustainability of the club is the most important thing.
“We will try to be creative, as we have been on other occasions, so that Antony continues here. But we will do so with the economic rigour that we have had so far. The market is open, very dynamic and we are part of that game.”
Fabrizio Romano claims Antony has turned down Serie A outfit Como
The ambitious Como, who hired Cesc Fabregas as their manager and signed players including Sergi Roberto, Dele Alli, Assane Diao and £21 million Martin Baturina, had hoped to make Antony their latest high-profile acquisition.
Antony only has eyes for Real Betis, however, as Fabrizio Romano explains.
“Como made a strong push. They have presented their project, and they’re speaking with people close to the player,” Romano reported recently.
“However, for now, Antony prefers a return to Spain. Particularly to Betis, where he felt good. It’s still early in the window but, for now, Antony is not open to Como.”