Sophia
The clock is ticking for Manchester United as their efforts to offload winger Antony this summer face a significant hurdle. Real Betis has publicly announced their withdrawal from negotiations, citing an inability to meet the financial demands of both the club and the player.
A Deal on the Brink: Initial Reports and Sudden Reversals
Just days ago, optimism was high that a long-awaited compromise was nearing. Antony, who spent the latter half of last season on loan, had reportedly made it clear he desired a return to Real Betis. Outlets like The Athletic even reported on Friday that an agreement had been reached, believed to be worth an initial €25 million (£21.7 million, $29.2 million) with an additional €3 million in add-ons. The deal also included a clause granting United 50% of any future sale profit.
However, Spanish reports quickly emerged, highlighting Betis’s dissatisfaction and insistence that no agreement had been finalized. The La Liga side subsequently issued formal statements to several English media outlets to clarify their position.
Betis’s Official Stance: Financial Constraints
A statement sent to talkSPORT by Real Betis unequivocally stated: “There is no agreement and we have withdrawn the transfer offer because Real Betis can’t afford the transfer fee and the amounts that Manchester United must [instead] pay the player before the transfer.”
BBC Sport later quoted Betis echoing this sentiment: “Betis has retired its offer. Betis cannot afford a transfer fee, nor the amounts the player is supposed to receive.”
The Crux of the Issue: Wage Demands
At the heart of this stalled transfer lies Antony’s wage demands. The Brazil international is reportedly facing a significant wage reduction and is seeking compensation to agree to depart from the final two years of his Manchester United contract, which is valued at £6 million per season.
Real Betis is pushing for United to agree to a pay-off with Antony, a move the Red Devils are hesitant to make, reluctant to incur a substantial expense simply to facilitate the departure of the former Ajax star. As it stands, the deal remains in limbo.
United’s Hopes and the Looming Deadline
Despite the current impasse, there remains a glimmer of hope from Manchester United’s side that a compromise can still be reached. Club officials reportedly believe Betis’s public statements are a tactic to ramp up pressure in negotiations. With the transfer deadline fast approaching on Monday, United will undoubtedly be hoping this proves to be the case as they scramble to offload Antony.
For more updates on Antony’s transfer saga and other Manchester United news, stay tuned to our sports coverage.
