Manchester United have missed out on a potential £13million windfall after Real Betis rejected an offer for Antony, denying the club a boost that would have supported their summer transfer plans.
Betis turns down record bid
Antony left Old Trafford permanently last summer in a €25m (£21.4m) deal, with United inserting a 50 per cent net sell-on clause to guarantee they would profit from any future move. The Brazilian impressed in his first season as a Betis player, scoring 14 goals and providing 10 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions. Betis' fifth-place finish secured Champions League qualification, and his form attracted interest.
According to Spanish outlet ABC, relayed by Sport Witness, Betis turned down a €50m bid from a wealthy non-Premier League club. His importance to the team and the financial implications of the sell-on clause with United are said to have influenced Betis' decision, even though the offer would have represented a record sale for the club. Betis also believed they would have been incapable of signing a suitable replacement having only retained a modest portion of the substantial fee proposed.
Impact on United's transfer plans
By reaching that conclusion, United have forfeited collecting £13m that could have been invested in transfers or viewed as additional funds recovered from the £81m paid to Ajax in 2022. That outlay looks set to surpass £300m this week, with United on course to secure Carlos Baleba from Brighton and complete their midfield overhaul, having already brought in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.
United are also hunting a new left-back, with Newcastle United's Lewis Hall topping their wishlist but proving out of reach. Racing Santander's Jorge Salinas and Club Brugge's Joaquin Seys have emerged as potential alternatives. Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is capable of operating at left-back as well as in midfield, has been linked and reportedly offered to United. However, the imminent arrival of Baleba appears to have put paid to that particular rumour, given the Arsenal star's preference for a central role.
Departures and remaining targets
Departures are also expected to feature on United's agenda, with Italian clubs keeping close tabs on Joshua Zirkzee. Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, appears set to remain at Old Trafford.
