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Antony has got his career back on track with Real Betis after a dismal spell at Man Utd - Reuters/Marcelo del Pozo
Real Betis are preparing a season-long loan offer to Manchester United to extend their deal for Brazil winger Antony after he was axed from Ruben Amorim’s plans earlier this season.
United’s £82 million signing from 2022 has started every game at Betis since his January loan until the end of the campaign, with the Spanish club now looking to keep him in their squad for a further year after his form put them in the box seat for a Champions League place.
It is understood that Betis are looking at a loan for 2025/26 rather than a permanent deal, which would be within their transfer budget and also keep Antony off United’s wage bill. The deal that took him to Estadio Benito Villamarín saw Betis pay 84 per cent of his salary plus bonus.
But they had no option to buy the former Ajax and as it stands, he would be expected to return to United’s base at Carrington for pre-season if there is no agreement in place.
Betis are hopeful of striking a deal for Antony to continue following his six months in Seville where he has started all La Liga and Europa Conference League matches, scoring five goals in the process.
Under former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, Betis are fifth in La Liga which would be enough for a Champions League place next season if they stay ahead of Villarreal and Celta Vigo for the final place.
Antony has only been on the losing side in two La Liga games, with team-mate Isco joking that fans should crowdfund a permanent transfer from United for the 25-year-old. “We have to crowdfund so he can stay at least another year,” Isco said. “We’ve noticed a change since he arrived; he brings us a lot.”
Antony could also reach the Europa Conference final, where Chelsea are potential opponents, and he joins the list of players who have thrived away from United, with Marcus Rashford looking to win the FA Cup at Aston Villa.
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