Man Utd flop on verge of sealing January loan move away from Old Trafford
Real Betis are closing in on a deal to sign Antony on loan from Manchester United for the second half of the season.
Antony, 24, has fallen some way short of expectations in a United shirt since following Erik ten Hag from Ajax for Old Trafford in an eye-watering £82million move back in 2022.
In that time, Antony has netted just five times in the Premier League, while managing a total of 12 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils.
The out-of-favour winger has also failed to win over Ruben Amorim, starting just two games – against Bodo Glimt and Tottenham in the Europa League and Carabao Cup respectively – since the Portuguese’s appointment in November.
There is a growing acceptance at the Theatre of Dreams that Antony’s move has not worked – and is unlikely to come good – and United have been pushing for the Brazilian to leave on loan before the January transfer deadline.
Olympiacos have been tentatively linked in recent weeks and teams from Turkey and the Saudi Pro League have also been credited with an interest, despite Antony’s nightmare two-and-a-half-year spell with United.
However, La Liga outfit Real Betis have emerged as the clear frontrunners to land Antony and are closing in on a loan agreement for the former Ajax and Sao Paulo man, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
It’s claimed Antony has ‘opened doors to the move’ and the final details are now being negotiated between all the parties, with no option clause currently included in the proposed deal.
Romano adds that United have agreed to cover a portion of Antony’s salaryin Seville.
Antony still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract with United will return to the north west in the summer, when his future is likely to be discussed again.
Before the January transfer window opened for business, Antony’s agent Junior Pedroso claimed his client was attracting strong interest from a number of clubs across Europe.
But Pedroso was keen to emphasise that United had never given any suggestion that they were actively pushing to offload the Brazil international.
‘Yes, many clubs have approached us for Antony’s move in January,’ Junior Pedroso told GiveMeSport.
‘These clubs wanted to understand the situation for Antony, so I can confirm that there’s concrete interest.’
He added: ‘To be fair, Manchester United have never expressed any interest to sell or loan out Antony to us.
‘We never received this sort of communication so far. Manchester United’s management never told us that they want Antony to leave, despite the reports we see around about our client.
‘I can say that Antony’s future is very much tied to Manchester United’s interests.
‘If the club thinks it would be a good idea to loan Antony out in January so he can get more minutes and regain his trust, we will work together on that option.
‘Otherwise, Antony is working hard to regain his place and show his best skills under the new coach Ruben Amorim.’
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