Antony, the talented winger once part of Manchester United, finds himself at the center of some pivotal discussions as his agents gear up for crucial negotiations with the club regarding his potential extended stay at Real Betis.
After parting ways with United earlier this year, Antony’s career has experienced a significant resurgence during his loan spell at Betis. With eight goal contributions in just 11 matches across various competitions, Antony’s impact has been impressive. Within the Spanish league, he’s created more open play opportunities (17) and significant scoring chances (6) than any of his peers, transforming Betis into La Liga’s second-highest scoring team in the second half of the season—a remarkable leap from their earlier struggles.
It’s no secret that Betis is eager to retain Antony. United reportedly values him around €50 million, drawing interest from big clubs like Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Real Sociedad, not to mention potential suitors from Saudi Arabia. Recent reports, noted by The Peoples Person, suggest that Betis is interested in having Antony back on a loan for the upcoming season in preparation for the 2026 World Cup in North America. To make this possible, they’re willing to take on a larger share of his salary.
Antony seems keen on the idea of staying with Betis under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini, as per Estadio Deportivo. His agents have expressed satisfaction with his development at Estadio Benito Villamarín, arranging a meeting with United in the hopes of securing a swift deal and reducing competitive interference.
From United’s standpoint, another loan spell might be risky given Antony’s contract is set to run until 2027, and he’s hesitant to extend. If a loan agreement is considered, United might include a purchase option to protect their investment.
Betis, however, are wary of an overpriced buyout clause that could stretch their financial limits. As a solution, they’re exploring a co-ownership model resembling their previous arrangements with Barcelona for players like Emerson Royal and Chadi Riad. Under this setup, Antony could alternate between Betis and a partner club, ensuring they share the financial commitment. If a sale occurs, the partner club would stand to benefit from the majority of the profit while Betis still gains from the transaction.
This approach could mitigate Betis’s financial exposure but seems challenging for a player of Antony’s caliber, who would likely command a high transfer fee regardless.
Securing Champions League qualification could strengthen Betis’s bid for Antony, and the player’s own determination to stay might tilt the balance in their favor. Betis vice president José Miguel López Catalán, speaking with Radio Marca via Mundo Deportivo, acknowledged the challenges: “Bringing Antony was tough, and retaining him won’t be easy.”
He elaborated, “It was initially more challenging to get him here than it might be to keep him, as he’s familiar with us now. It’s akin to signing talents like Lo Celso and Fekir. When the time comes, it’ll depend on his desires, our rapport with United, and competition from other clubs. We aim to attract top-tier talents without overextending ourselves.”
Antony’s evolving transfer saga promises intrigue as all parties navigate the complex landscape of modern football negotiations.
[Featured image by Fran Santiago via Getty Images]
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