Antony Real Betis
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Manchester United are looking likely to have to pay off failed transfer Antony as the winger finds a resurgence in LaLiga.
The Brazilian is once more finding his form with Real Betis, as the Spanish side signed the winger on loan in the winter transfer window.
Already Antony has four goals and four assists in 11 games, more than his combined goal contributions for the last season at a half at Old Trafford, with four goals and two assists in 52 games.
As such, Betis are keen to retain their newfound star, even looking to extend his loan for another season before considering a permanent move.
Betis face competition though, with other top European clubs also monitoring the winger ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, Antony’s hefty wage is providing a barrier to most clubs with the winger earning around £200,000 per week.
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Manchester United could pay off Antony to accept wage cut
As Antony is contracted until 2028, the 25-year-old would be losing a considerable amount if he accepted a pay cut to join another club.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster discussed the situation on his Fozcast podcast, as reported by The Express, saying: “With Antony, the rumours are that he’s earning around £200,000 a week, and there aren’t many teams globally that can afford him.”
He continued: “Antony has two or three years remaining on his contract at Man United and is unlikely to accept a wage cut by joining one of these teams offering £100,000 a week.
“No matter how wealthy you are, if someone tells you ‘Your salary will be halved next year’, it stings.
“What’s likely to happen is if a club like Real Betis did sign him, Antony would tell Manchester United ‘I’m willing to transfer to Real Betis. However, I still have two or three years left on my contract, which is worth £20m or £30m’.
“(He would then say) ‘You need to pay me 40 per cent of that’. It’s a bitter pill to swallow when you’ve invested so much in a player…and he’s delivered absolutely nothing for Manchester United.
“They’ve loaned him out, and suddenly he starts performing.”
If this situation is to play out, which could be a real possibility to get out of paying the rest of his contract, United could have to cough up around £10 million as a pay out for Antony to accept a pay cut based on him being offered a £100,000 per week salary.
However, whilst £10 million appears to be a lot, United would be in fact saving £20 million on his wage costs by sanctioning the payment, making more financial sense long-term.
Naturally this all depends on the interested generated for the winger over the summer, where with his return to form, more doors could be opening, and the closer a club’s wage offer to that of United’s, the less the Red Devils would need to consider paying out.
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