Antony has revealed that he rejected interest from Bayern Munich in order to return to Real Betis, with a permanent switch to the La Liga outfit being confirmed on transfer deadline day.
The 25-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Real Betis from Manchester United, scoring nine goals and registering five assists in 26 appearances in all competitions.
A number of clubs were linked with the Brazilian over the summer, with Man United placing him in the 'bomb squad', meaning that he was not involved in the English club's preparations for the new campaign.
Antony has said that Bayern attempted to sign him, but he was only interested in a return to Real Betis, having performed impressively for the Seville outfit in the second half of the 2024-25 season.
"One day before the deal was completed, I spoke to the people at Bayern," Antony told Cadena Cope. "But when I spoke to Bayern, I told them that the deal with Betis was 95% complete, and that I would honour my word. I would do so out of respect and love and because I know that I am very happy here.
Real Betis winger Antony in February 2025.
Antony: "My first option was Betis"
"I don't know if they were offering me €7m (£6m) [in wages]. With all respect I have for Bayern, which is a world-class club, I am at ease with the decision I've taken. I don't know what will happen in the future but I feel very calm about the decision I've taken.
"More than five clubs called me. But as I've always said my first option was Betis."
Antony also opened up on his "difficult" time at Man United, with the forward having off-the-field issues in Manchester, and he then had to face a summer of uncertainty when it came to his future.
"Only my family knows how difficult it was to be there (in tears)," he said. "Training separately... but I knew this incredible moment was coming. Of course, I was afraid it wouldn't happen in the end, but I waited because I had so much faith.
"What a difference! Seville is more beautiful than Manchester. I'm finally here. I spent more than 40 days in a hotel; it was very hard, but everyone knew I wanted to return to Betis.
Manchester United's Antony pictured on January 22, 2025
Antony's "difficult" Man United spell is over
"Now with more time, we have so many things to do and achieve. I had trouble sleeping after seeing so much affection from the Betis fans; there were people waiting at my house at 2am.
"Every day I was very anxious, on Sunday everything was ready to travel, but we had to wait.
"I made it very clear that my first choice was Betis, it was Betis or Betis, there was no other option. I spoke to my mother and my sister in Brazil, they were crying, because what happened in Manchester was very difficult.
"Being separated, but that's part of life, I knew this incredible moment was going to come. These things are already in the past and now we are here, which for me is a dream."
Antony only managed 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for Man United in all competitions, with the Brazilian fail to build on the promise that he showed at Sao Paulo and Ajax.
Real Betis have paid a fixed fee of €22m (£19m) for the attacker, with a potential €3m (£2.6m) in add-ons, while Man United also have a 50% sell-on clause.
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