Manchester United have not made a great case for bringing the best out of footballers in recent years.
Perhaps none of their current roster, beyond the out-of-favour Marcus Rashford, makes that case quite as well as wantaway star Antony.
Following a torrid three seasons in Manchester, the Brazilian appears to have found a far more suitable footballing home in La Liga.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a remarkable debut season with Real Betis, registering nine goals and five assists in 26 games (across all competitions) in 2024/25.
Club
Appearances
Goal contributions
Ajax
82
46
Manchester United
96
17
Real Betis
26
14
* Antony’s goal contribution stats courtesy of Transfermarkt
Real Betis in talks to re-sign Antony from Manchester United
(Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Decision-makers and the wider fanbase will no doubt be left scratching their heads after watching Antony struggle to acclimatise to life in the Premier League, and then thrive in Spain.
The maligned right winger, of course, would hardly be the first footballer to crumble under the immense, and evidently growing, pressure at Old Trafford.
Having since flourished at Real Betis, however, the Europa Conference League finalists are fully prepared to take Antony off Ruben Amorim’s hands.
Sources close to the talks taking place between United and Real Betis have exclusively informed CaughtOffside that the Spanish outfit is working on a loan deal, despite financial limitations. This would, ideally, come with an obligation to buy and a percentage on any future sale.
The Red Devils had initially pursued a fee of €50m [£43.1m], but a lower fee of around €35m [£30.1m] is now seen as more realistic. Betis are keen to pay a fee for the initial loan with a view to finalising the transfer next summer.
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