Key Takeaways:
- Antony has indicated his willingness to wait until the transfer window deadline for a potential move back to Betis
- Manchester United demand 40 million euros for a permanent transfer, which Betis cannot currently afford
- The winger has turned down approaches from Benfica and clubs in Saudi Arabia, signalling his strong preference for Betis
Transfer Saga: Antony’s Stand and Betis’ Tactics
Brazilian winger Antony, aged 25, is determined to secure a return to Real Betis and has communicated to Manchester United’s hierarchy that he is prepared to be patient until the transfer deadline, sources have told SportingPedia. In anticipation of his possible arrival, Betis have reserved the number 7 shirt for Antony, who previously impressed during a loan spell by netting 9 goals and providing 5 assists in 26 matches across all competitions last season.
💣🚨🚨BREAKING: Real Betis have proposed either a loan or joint ownership deal worth around €20M for Antony.
Joint ownership would mean United keeping a big percentage of any future sale.
Joint ownership of a player in big 2025 @RealBetis? 😂 pic.twitter.com/vy03ytvyWW
— mufcytp (@mufcytp) August 19, 2025
The Spanish club is unable to meet Manchester United’s asking price of 40 million euros for a permanent deal. Instead, Betis are proposing an alternative arrangement — a renewed loan in which they would take on more financial responsibility, or a co-ownership agreement that would see both clubs hold a 50% stake in the player’s rights. Antony has already rebuffed offers from Portugal’s Benfica as well as clubs from Saudi Arabia, further highlighting his preference for a return to the Andalusian side.
Negotiation Stalemate and Manchester United’s Response
Media reports indicate that Betis officials have maintained ongoing communication with Antony, likely contributing to a strategy aimed at persuading Manchester United to lower their demands or accept one of Betis’ proposed deals. Highlighting the complexity of the situation, Manchester United have excluded Antony from the squad, alongside Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, and Jadon Sancho.
The transfer deadline in Spain is set for 1 September. The tactic reportedly mirrors that of Argentinian winger Alejandro Garnacho, who recently sought a move to Chelsea by putting pressure on the Manchester club, with discussions between the two Premier League sides currently ongoing. Should an agreement not be reached with Betis, Antony could still pursue a transfer to the Saudi Arabian league before the end of next month’s window.
