Manchester United and Real Betis will soon have to make a decision on Antony’s unexpectedly successful loan and the Spanish club’s Sporting Director Manu Fajardo has shared the latest on the move.
Antony’s move to Real Betis was widely written off as Man Utd getting rid of a stressed asset to anyone who would be willing to take him.
Now, after six months of Antony tearing it up at Real Betis, not only do Betis want to keep him, but he’s garnering interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid as well.
Now a proven commodity in Spain, Betis tried creative solutions to keep him and their sporting director Manu Fajardo has shared the latest.
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Latest Antony transfer update
For a club that has become worryingly reliant on a loan player, Betis have shown a surprising amount of negotiation nous and spine to annoy Man Utd.
From their president saying Antony’s permanent move will be difficult, to their club legends urging a crowdfund for him, they keep pleading poverty.
Antony might have become too successful in six months for their own good, and United will smell money when they look at the player.
Betis’ sporting director, however, is not ready to give up yet and has given his strongest stance yet that his team shouldn’t be counted out.
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He said (via Estadio Deportivo): “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. We are going to give everything so that players like Antony can join our club.”
Man Utd will spark a bidding war
Betis might be buttering up Man Utd but the club’s best interests will be to spark a bidding war for the player and then challenge Betis to step up.
Betis’ public stance throughout the loan has been problematic, effectively trying to force Antony to take matters into his own hands so that they can land him on a cheap deal.
United will be well aware of these games, plus the pressure Betis fans are putting on the club to sign Antony, and should leverage those to put themselves in a stronger position.
Antony is an asset that has unexpectedly gained value and a fee could even turn a profit for them from FFP’s point of view.
That is not a scenario anyone thought was possible when his loan exit was sealed but now that it’s here, United have to make the most of it, even if it means taking Antony out of his comfort zone.