Manchester United transfer news as Real Betis plot permanent move for Antony which breaks Premier League regulations
Manchester United’s ambition of raising funds from selling players this summer could be about to finally come alive with Real Betis reportedly growing confident in signing Antony.
United’s transfer budget has been limited for Ruben Amorim after the club suffered their worst season in 51 years. Matheus Cunha’s arrival from Wolves for £62.5million has already been confirmed as Bryan Mbeumo is expected to follow.
More transfer business is expected to follow but United face being forced to sell players to raise more funds. A number of individuals are up for sale and are expected to not be at the club when the new season starts, including Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho.
Rashford is set to be integrated back into Amorim’s team while Sancho’s return from his loan spell at Chelsea leaves him desperate for another escape route out of Old Trafford. Garnacho, who played 58 times last season, has been told to leave the club with United reportedly slapping a £70m price tag on the forward.
But it’s Antony who comes into the transfer window with his stock high. The winger returned to his best during his loan at Betis after struggling to fit into Amorim’s team.
Under Manuel Pellegrini, Antony scored nine goals and assisted five to help Betis qualify for the Europa League. The forward has failed to live up to his £86m price tag since moving to England and is one asset United are looking to cash-in on.
Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid had previously been linked with moves for the forward. But reports in Spain have now suggested that Betis are hopeful in bringing him back to the Estadio Benito Villamarín for the 2025/26 season.
ABC Sevilla reports that chiefs travelled to England for talks with United last week, with Betis exploring a deal that would see them become theoretical co-owners of Antony. The report claims that they aim to pay £17m to give United a high sell-on clause worth up to 50%.
Co-ownership of footballers is a common method in European football, but it is currently banned in the Premier League. The method was outlawed in 2007, with the Premier League stating: “We believe that the practice threatens the integrity of competitions, reduces the flow of transfer income into sport and has the potential to exert external influence on player transfer decisions.”
It’s unclear whether United would even entertain the prospect of selling Antony for £17m, despite the positive of holding a huge sell-on clause. The small fee wouldn’t drastically improve the budget available to bolster Amorim’s team.
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2025-06-16 17:29:08
