Antony’s entourage to fly out to Spain as Manchester United exit looms
The transfer window is gathering momentum, and with it, familiar names are resurfacing, among them, Antony. The Brazilian winger, who has struggled to adapt to English football, is once again drawing attention from Spain. As clubs accelerate their preparations for the new season, Real Betis are reportedly moving decisively, reigniting their interest in the Manchester United player. Their aim is clear: secure key reinforcements before Manuel Pellegrini sets his squad in motion for pre-season.
According to Diario de Sevilla, as reported by SportWitness, Antony’s representatives are set to travel to Andalusia this week for talks with Real Betis officials. The goal is to negotiate a loan deal with Manchester United, a move both sides have been informally discussing for several weeks.
A permanent transfer remains out of reach due to the hefty fee United paid, but a temporary exit could benefit all parties. The player’s entourage, including Cristiano Torelli, Junior Pedroso, and Antony’s brother Emerson Santos, are expected to be present, and a formal meeting between the two clubs is on the table to finalise terms.
Where will Antony end up at in the summer?
Antony’s stint at Old Trafford has been largely underwhelming. Signed for a considerable sum, the 25-year-old has failed to justify the investment with either consistency or output. In his second season, he lost both form and favour, with minimal contributions in goals and assists.
Under Rúben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, Antony seems even less of a tactical fit. Amorim’s style demands dynamic, inverted attacking midfielders and aggressive full-backs, not traditional wingers like Antony, who tends to operate in predictable patterns. A left-footed right-winger who repeatedly cuts inside, Antony has become easy to read and neutralise in the Premier League.
For Manchester United, both financial and sporting logic point toward a temporary solution. Keeping Antony on the books for another season while he remains underwhelming would be a costly error, especially given the pressures surrounding squad optimization and wage management. A loan move, even without an immediate purchase option, would ease part of his salary burden and create space for a more productive profile in Amorim’s evolving system.
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From Real Betis’ standpoint, the deal would be shrewd. The club is familiar with the player, Pellegrini has previously expressed trust in him, and while Antony didn’t consistently shine in LaLiga, he did offer flashes of quality. Structuring a flexible loan agreement, one that includes performance-based extensions or a conditional purchase clause, would protect both parties and leave room for mutual benefit if Antony regains form.
Yet beyond the tactical and financial dimensions lies a more personal truth: Antony needs to rediscover himself. Once hailed as a prodigious talent, the Brazilian has struggled under the weight of expectation at Old Trafford. The spotlight, the criticism, the cultural shift, everything has taken its toll. In Seville, away from the glare of English football, he may find the space to recover his rhythm, confidence, and identity. For Antony, and for all involved, that renewal could prove more valuable than any transfer clause.