The latest Manchester United transfer news following an update on Real Betis loanee Antony.
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Man Utd winger Antony in action for loan club Real Betis.
Man Utd winger Antony in action for loan club Real Betis.
(Image: Getty Images)
Real Betis have insisted that they are interested in signing Antony during the summer transfer window - and they are trying everything in their power to strike up a deal with Manchester United.
Antony left United this winter seemingly as a shadow of the player who joined the club from Ajax in Erik ten Hag's first summer transfer window. After little more than a month and a half, Ruben Amorim had discovered that the Brazilian would not fit into his plans for the remainder of the season - as he struggled to feature as either a No.10 or a wing-back.
Betis were keen to get a deal done when the mid-season window opened and Antony signed for them on loan for the remainder of the campaign. Since then, it has been a perfect fit for the 25-year-old.
In 24 appearances, he has managed to score eight goals and bag five assists. To put that into perspective, he only managed 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for United.
Now the season is coming to an end, there is a desire in Seville to look to the future and the possibility of keeping Antony beyond this campaign. In an interview with DAZN, Real's sporting director Manu Fajardo was asked about the situation with Antony, while he admitted that the relationship between himself and his club with United was a positive one.
"Yes, yes, there already have been [discussions surrounding Antony's future]," Fajardo explained. "There is a close and respectful relationship with Manchester United, and we are in constant contact with them.
"We have been talking with them since his arrival. We have to take great care of this asset - so that big clubs and players of this calibre continue to trust us.
"We will give everything so that players like Antony can join our club." The Manchester Evening News understands United have their hearts set on selling the forward in the summer transfer window to drum up some much needed funds for Amorim's rebuild project.
Reports in Spain suggest that this could be a problem for Betis, though, because they will miss out on Champions League football next season. Due to this, their best offer would likely be to loan Antony yet again but, considering his good form, there is a growing sense that another top club could come in to sign him permanently.
As for Antony, his full focus right now is on the Conference League final a week on Wednesday where he will hope to lead his side to glory against Premier League rivals Chelsea. Whether they win or lose that match in Poland, Betis will qualify for next season's Europa League after a sixth-placed finish in La Liga.
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