Can Betis Afford to Retain Antony as United Set €50m Price Tag? | OneFootball

Antony’s Betis Future in Doubt as Financial Barriers Loom

Antony’s loan spell at Real Betis has been a revelation, with the Brazilian impressing under Manuel Pellegrini. However, as Fichajes reports, retaining the winger beyond June presents a near-insurmountable challenge. His parent club, Manchester United, has set a steep asking price of €50 million, a sum far beyond Betis’ financial reach.

Betis’ Dilemma: A Star They Can’t Afford

The issue is twofold: not only is Antony’s transfer fee exorbitant, but his wages—€14 million per year—are simply unsustainable for Betis. The report states:

“The loan agreement did not include any purchase option, and the English have already hinted that they would be willing to let him go permanently for a figure close to 50 million euros, a price that Betis cannot afford.”

Photo: IMAGO

With no purchase clause in place, Betis must now explore alternative ways to extend his stay.

A New Loan the Only Hope?

Given the financial reality, Fichajes suggests a renewed loan deal as the only viable option. However, Antony’s strong performances have attracted interest from bigger European clubs with greater spending power.

“The good form that Antony is showing has awakened the interest of other European clubs with greater financial capacity.”

For Betis to stand any chance, Manchester United would need to drastically lower their demands, or Antony would have to accept a significant salary reduction.

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🔍 Sceptical Football Fan’s Perspective

This situation highlights the stark reality of modern football finances. While Betis fans would love to see Antony stay, the numbers simply don’t add up. United’s €50 million valuation is unrealistic, given Antony’s underwhelming stint in the Premier League, and expecting Betis to pay anywhere near that sum is laughable.

If Manchester United are keen to offload him permanently, they may need to accept a much lower fee. Otherwise, a second loan spell is the most likely outcome—if Antony himself is willing to compromise on his wages.

From a neutral perspective, this saga also raises an interesting point: is Antony truly a €50m player? His spell in LaLiga has been promising, but has he done enough to justify such a valuation?

Betis fans will be hoping United see sense, but for now, the odds seem stacked against a long-term stay.