Real Betis enter fresh negotiations with Man United over Antony’s future | OneFootball

Real Betis officials met with their Manchester United counterparts last week to open fresh negotiations over the future of Antony as the Brazilian winger’s loan draws to a close.

Antony, 25, swapped Old Trafford for the Villamarin Stadium at the end of the January transfer window to join Real Betis on loan after falling down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim. But where the Theatre of Dreams resembled more of a nightmare for the former Ajax star, Spain has offered him a haven of redemption.

Antony has scored seven goals and provided four assists in 20 games for his newly adopted side, including a brilliant strike in stoppage time of last night’s comeback victory over Espanyol in the league.

With four games to go in La Liga, Real Betis are currently sixth on 56 points, one point off fifth-placed Villarreal. And Spain will receive five qualification spots for next season’s Champions League, meaning Los Verdiblancos are within touching distance of a brilliant domestic achievement.

But Real Betis are also in the semi-final of the Conference League, having beating Italian side Fiorentina 2-1 in the first leg; again, courtesy of a superb long-range effort by Antony against former teammate David de Gea.

United’s head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, was in attendance for this semi-final clash with executives from Real Betis reiterating their desire to keep Antony beyond the end of his loan last week.

According to Spanish outlet ElDesmarque, the Liga club “met again with Manchester United last week” to discuss the prospect of the 25-year-old remaining in Seville next season.

“The Betis team’s proposal is to extend the loan , this time assuming almost the entire salary of the Brazilian, which isn’t much more than what Nabil Fekir was earning. This is an acceptable amount for the Betis club, which is offering the British side payment guarantees.

“Manchester United sporting director Christopher Vivell was also at the Benito Villamarín last Thursday watching the match against Fiorentina . In the latest meeting we discussed, several issues were raised that are beginning to shape the Brazilian’s possible future. Antony is clear that he will not continue in the Premier League.”

The report reveals Antony’s preference is to remain with Real Betis over potential switches to Villarreal, Roma or Bayer Leverkusen with the Champions League said to be crucial to Betis’ hopes of keeping the winger.

The club are described as “optimistic” over their chances but remain fearful a club will offer United the price Old Trafford officials have set for Antony this summer: €40 to €50 million.

The Red Devils are said to have a “good relationship” with their Spanish counterparts and “remain open to further negotiations” but will prioritise a permanent exit over another loan move, even with more favourable conditions.

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal have been linked with moves for the winger with both clubs capable of meeting United’s demands in a way Real Betis cannot.

But ElDesmarque also reveals Antony has one eye on the 2026 World Cup and “wants to continue playing” to give himself the best chance of being selected for Brazil, thus guaranteed game time is “key to choosing a destination.” And the 25-year-old is unlikely to find a club as willing to offer him as many possible minutes of football as Los Verdiblancos next season.

Featured image Fran Santiago via Getty Images

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