The path to Manchester United completing their first major sale of the summer transfer window is clearing as Real Betis have just seen a second domino fall.
Antony’s move to Real Betis has stretched due to the Spanish side pleading poverty for a player they were enamoured by in six months on loan.
Betis executives have repeatedly tried to put pressure on Man Utd, encouraging Antony to back the club into a corner so they can get away with paying less money.
After a second £19m domino has fallen for them, following a £26m windfall, they are really left with no excuses now.
Antony of Real Betis during the LaLiga match between Real Betis Balompie and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio Benito Villamarin on April 24, 2025
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Real Betis flush with cash after £19m domino falls
Betis have probably been reticent about paying Man Utd’s asking price for Antony due to a bad experience in the past.
That was understandable to an extent since their financial condition wasn’t such that they could splash hefty sums on players.
However, that stance was weakened somewhat after a recent domino fell, which netted them close to £26m by selling Johnny Cardoso to Atletico Madrid.
Even if that wasn’t enough, Betis really have no excuses now because they have sealed another sale, this time of Jesus Rodriguez, who is set to join Como for about £19m, according to Fabrizio Romano.
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🚨💙 Jesús Rodriguez deal has just been sealed between Como and Real Betis for €22.5m plus add-ons.
Medical tomorrow. 🩺🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/raCt2qEZPO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 30, 2025
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That’s a total of £45m transfer income for Betis. It is a step further than what United have been asking for Antony all summer.
Granted, Betis won’t spend all of this money on a single player, but if they truly are as desperate to sign Antony as they’ve been making it out in public, putting down 70% of that fee to sign him doesn’t seem far-fetched.
It’s likely that United would even agree to a loan with an obligation to buy (no exit clause this time!), if Betis offer agreeable terms, since Antony has been a model professional throughout.
Man Utd need to conclude Antony sale before pre-season tour
At this point, most Man Utd fans have lost hope of seeing Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Alejandro Garnacho depart before July 19.
July 19 is when United play their first pre-season game, against Leeds United in Sweden, and the aim should be to sell Antony by then.
He is the only player who hasn’t burned bridges with any club he’s played for so far, and his wages make it so that personal terms won’t be a problem once a transfer fee is agreed.
Before Betis’ combined windfall of £45m, that was the issue, but that should be resolved now if they negotiate in good faith.
Having one sale in the bag before the squad departs for pre-season will lessen the awkwardness of leaving behind players.