Antony shone for Real Betis again over the weekendAntony shone for Real Betis again over the weekend
Antony shone for Real Betis again over the weekend | Getty Images
Manchester United forward is shining for Real Betis in La Liga
Manchester United winger Antony has enjoyed a new lease of life since joining La Liga side Real Betis on loan. The Brazilian has been on the end of some major praise from local media in recent weeks with Betis enjoying strong form in La Liga and advancing to the last eight of the Europa Conference League.
Reports from Sevilla have indicated what Betis want to do with Antony once his six-month loan ends. The current arrangement between United and the Spanish club is a straight six-month loan with Betis paying 84 per cent of Antony’s wages. That has taken a big chunk of the salary bill at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have got exactly what they wanted from Antony’s loan, with the player’s improved form making it easier for United to offload him permanently for a respectable fee in the summer transfer window.
Betis want another loan
While United are keen to sell Antony, Betis reportedly want another loan deal - this time for 12 months. Manchester World reported earlier this week that United would need to sell Antony for £32.5m in the summer to avoid making a loss on the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. Antony joined United in the summer of 2022 from Ajax for a massive £86m. He failed to live up to that price tag and is under contract at Old Trafford until the summer of 2027.
ABC de Sevilla has reported that Betis are preparing to enter talks with United over extending Antony’s loan. However, that proposal could hinge on whether Betis can qualify for the Champions League. As things stand, England and Spain are set to be handed a fifth Champions League qualification spot. Betis sit sixth in La Liga, level on points with fifth-placed Villarreal. They are eight points back from Athletic Club in fourth, with 10 games remaining.
The positive and negative to Betis’ Antony proposal
The obvious negative to another loan, is that United would not get a transfer fee for Antony this summer. The winger is not set to have a permanent future at Old Trafford and his upturn in form has not changed minds within the Old Trafford hierarchy, who still intend to sell him this summer.
As with the January window, United’s incoming transfer business will be limited unless they can offload some of their squad. A number of players have been linked with exits, including academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo. Antony is one player United would like to sell, and Betis may only get their wish if the Red Devils can quickly offload some of their other players who do not have a future under Ruben Amorim.
The one positive to the proposal from Betis is that they are set to offer to cover more of Antony’s wages. With the Spanish club already paying 84 per cent of his salary, any increase would further reduce United’s wage bill and give them more wiggle room when it comes to agreeing personal terms with potential summer targets. Although the report from ABC de Sevilla claims Betis will only be able to cover more of Antony’s salary if they reach the Champions League.