A deal has reportedly been agreed for Antony to leave Manchester United

  1. Home
  2. Sport
Antony transfer update Man United loan deal

Currently exiled winger Antony looks like he’s finally set to leave Manchester United, as the Red Devils have reportedly agreed a deal with a Spanish team, Real Betis, to seal his return.

The 25-year-old winger, who joined Man United from Ajax in 2022 at the behest of former manager Erik ten Hag for nearly £90 million all told, has made 96 appearances for the club, but has only played a handful of games under Ruben Amorim.

In fairness, he did spend six months on loan in La Liga, where he performed so well that Betis players joked they should set up a crowdfunder in order to sign him permanently.

Most notably, he also doesn’t look to be part of Amorim’s plans, and it looks like the Sevillan side may not have to turn to far-fetched measures after all.

Sharing the update on social media, Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath wrote: “Agreement in principle for Antony to return to Real Betis, according to Spanish sources.

“Talks have been over a deal where the 25yo Brazil forward to eventually move permanently after [an] initial loan.”

Expanding in a full column, the football writer also briefed readers re: ongoing talks with potential new goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, who looks close to sealing an estimated £21.6m transfer.

As you can see, since these reports, the latest from other sources is that an official bid has now been received, though nothing has been signed just yet.

It goes without saying that Antony, who scored nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances for Los Béticos – many of which came in crucial games – would be keen on the switch.

Once again, it is only believed to be an agreement in principle at this point, but there is understandably a keenness on all sides.

You can see why he was an instant hit with their supporters down below.

Antony quickly looked much more at home in the Betis starting XI than he did in Manchester.

Although it is said that United have not yet accepted the bid, freelance transfer specialist Sam Alex claims that the Premier League club would prefer not to loan him out for a second time.

That being said, as McGrath states, it’s thought that the hope is that they can agree on another short-term spell in the immediate, with a look to sign him full-time at a later date.

Betis have reiterated that they still have a modest budget when it comes to recruitment, and it is unclear whether they’d be able to raise enough money via player sales by January to make it a permanent deal.

United have ended up spending more than £200m this window and are rumoured to be spending further as Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS Sports Group look to try and get the global sporting brand back to ‘the good days’, which the Portuguese coach insists are coming.

Nevertheless, the ex-Sporting boss has now played more Premier League games (29) than he has won points, of which he has amassed just 28 thus far. Those new signings have to start clicking soon.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)/La Liga (screenshot via YouTube)