Real Betis target Manchester United’s Antony if they qualify for Champions League

Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo has hinted that he will seek a permanent deal for Antony, who they are on loan from Manchester United, if the Beticos Verdiblancos manage to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

After struggling for form during three seasons with United, Antony joined Betis on loan in January and has made an instant impact, scoring four goals and providing four assists in 11 appearances in all competitions. The deal does not include an option for a permanent transfer, although Betis CEO Ramon Alarcon recently claimed that Antony wants to stay at the club beyond the end of the season.

Quoting from 90min, which quoted MARCA, Manu Fajardo appreciates what the team did for Antony.

“In the Betis sports department, we deal with under-appreciated talented players, we analyse data from players who have reached the peak of their performance, but who for various reasons have declined significantly,” said Fajardo.

“We are concerned about their situation and we talk to these big clubs. In this case, we can reassure the player and his team. For example, when Antony first arrived and immediately played with the squad (Real Betis),” he added.

“We have not lost enthusiasm, we cannot rule out anything in football, and hopefully Real Betis will remain at the top of Europe to benefit from the arrival of another great (underappreciated) player,” he continued.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are currently sixth in La Liga, still in contention for a Europa League spot, which they can also secure by winning the Conference League competition they are currently in and entering the quarter-finals of.

Apart from the Europa League, if the Verdiblancos still have the fighting spirit to play in the Champions League, they must reduce the eight-point gap from Athletic Bilbao who are perched in fourth place.

Betis have opened talks over an additional loan for Antony but a permanent deal would be dependent on revenues from European football as United look to sell him.