Manchester United winger Antony during his loan spell at Real Betis.placeholder image
Manchester United winger Antony during his loan spell at Real Betis. | Getty Images
Manchester United have several high-profile sales they still hope to make this summer
It has been a summer of change at Manchester United but there is still significant work to be done on Ruben Amorim’s squad as we approach the final few weeks of the transfer window.
Amorim was criticised at times last season for deploying tactics which did not necessarily fit the players he had at his disposal, meaning there was a lot of pressure on getting this summer right. While a focus has been put on improving in attacking areas, it can be argued that the full squad overhaul which fans hoped for has not quite happened as of yet.
This could rely heavily on player sales, as the Red Devils still hope to offload several big-name players. This would free up funds for the further squad improvements which could be needed to see the 13-time Premier League winners return to competing for Europe through the more traditional method of league position. A key update has emerged regarding the future of Antony, a member of Amorim’s exiled ‘bomb squad’.
Antony only wants Real Betis transfer
According to reports by Sport in Spain, United winger Antony wants to depart this summer but has his heart on a return to Real Betis, where he enjoyed a fruitful loan spell in the second half of the 2024/25 season. Betis hope to sign him permanently.
Antony scored five La Liga goals in 17 appearances for the Sevilla-based side, equalling his total of league goals for United, and has said he “found himself” and his smile again in Spain after coming under fire from fans during his time in Manchester. Fabrizio Romano previously spoke with DAZN in Spain and said that Antony is “in love” with Betis and the love he has received from the people at the club and in the city, suggesting that he feels it is the perfect place for him to continue to enjoy his football moving forward.
Sport’s report claims Antony is ‘standing firm’ and is not budging from his desire to return to Betis. He is waiting for United to reconsider their position so that a deal can be done which suits all parties. The Red Devils desperately want to sell and know that keeping hold of Antony makes no business sense, so the player and Betis will hope that a compromise is reached in the coming weeks.
Saudi and Brazil offers received, Antony rejects
Reported by Metro, Antony has proven his desire to return to Betis after ‘rejecting’ multiple offers from elsewhere. He has reportedly received interest from Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, in addition to proposals from two Brazilian sides in Botafogo and Sao Paolo. All of which the 25-year-old has rejected, as he has his ‘heart set’ on Betis. He is ‘unwilling’ to consider a move elsewhere.
But a gap in valuation remains, which is delaying a potential deal being struck with the La Liga side. United reportedly want £30million for Antony - who they paid a huge £86m for just three years ago - but Betis feel this may be outside their means and are hoping to negotiate down a price with the Premier League side. Metro’s report also states that Antony has even expressed a willingness to take a pay-cut in order to secure his desired move.
Antony and Betis will both be more than aware that as the transfer window draws towards its conclusion, United may become more willing to offload outcasts such as Antony by any means necessary, meaning a more favourable deal could still be struck before the summer is up.
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