Footem.in – Manchester United and Real Betis have reportedly finalized a deal that will see Antony loaned to the Spanish club for a full season. Other major clubs had also expressed interest in securing the winger.
Antony Set for Return to Real Betis
Antony is poised to rejoin Real Betis after a successful stint during the latter half of the 2024/25 season. The 25-year-old forward tallied nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances, playing a key role in Betis’s journey to the Europa Conference League final, where they ultimately lost to Chelsea.
Despite his impressive performance in Spain, Manchester United’s management has indicated that Antony’s chances of returning to the first team at Old Trafford are slim under current manager Ruben Amorim.
Since his arrival from Ajax in 2022 for a substantial £82 million, Antony has managed just five Premier League goals. This has led some to label him as one of the club’s worst signings in recent history.
In recent weeks, Antony has attracted interest from clubs such as Fenerbahce, Bayer Leverkusen, and teams in Saudi Arabia. Fenerbahce was even rumored to be willing to meet United’s asking price of €45 million. However, Antony reportedly declined the opportunity to work with Jose Mourinho in Turkey, preferring a return to Seville under Manuel Pellegrini.
Statements from Betis and Pellegrini
Betis’s sporting director, Manu Fajardo, hinted last month at ongoing efforts to bring Antony back to the club.
“Every day that passes makes us dream more and more that he will return here. If Antony is here, it means the numbers add up. The most important thing is the sustainability of the club, we can’t do anything crazy,” he stated.
Coach Manuel Pellegrini has also publicly expressed his desire to work with Antony again.
“We all know how important Antony was last season. Hopefully he can return. But of course, all decisions must consider the financial aspects,” Pellegrini emphasized.
Potential Permanent Transfer
The agreement between United and Betis includes a season-long loan, with the expectation that Antony will join the club permanently after the loan period concludes next year.
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