Manchester United have been denied a £13million windfall after Real Betis rejected an approach for Antony. The Brazilian departed Old Trafford permanently for his former loan club last summer in a €25million (£21.4m) deal, with United ensuring they benefit from any future moves by inserting a 50 per cent net sell-on clause.
Antony's Impact at Real Betis
During his first season under contract at Betis, Antony managed 14 goals and 10 assists from 46 appearances in all competitions. Through finishing fifth in La Liga, they have qualified for the Champions League and it seems Antony has caught the eye.
Tuesday's print edition of ABC, as relayed by Sport Witness, have claimed that Betis turned down a €50m approach from a wealthy non-Premier League club for Antony. His importance and the agreement with United is said to have played a role in Betis rejecting the proposal despite the fact it would have been a record-breaking deal for the club.
Reasons Behind the Rejection
Betis also felt that they would have been unable to sign an adequate replacement having only received a small portion of the sizeable fee proposed. Through making that decision, United have missed out on taking in £13m that could have been used on transfers or looked at as further funds recouped from the £81m paid to Ajax in 2022.
United have been far more shrewd regarding transfer fees and wages since that deal flopped, with just under £300m spent to sign six players that have improved the first-team squad. That spending looks set to break £300m this week with United on track to bring in Carlos Baleba from Brighton and complete their midfield rebuild after also signing Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.
Transfer Window Activity
United are also in the market for a new left-back, with Newcastle United's Lewis Hall a priority target but unattainable. Racing Santander's Jorge Salinas and Joaquin Seys of Club Brugge have been linked as alternatives. Capable of filling that role and playing in midfield, Myles Lewis-Skelly has been linked and even offered to United, but the signing of Baleba seemingly puts that transfer rumour to bed given the Arsenal star's preference to play in the engine room.
Departures are also likely to be on the agenda for United, with Italian clubs tracking Joshua Zirkzee. Marcus Rashford however, looks set to stay at Old Trafford.
