Romano CONFIRMS Man Utd's first January deal

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 20 Jan 2025 05:41 CST
• 3 min read

Real Betis have officially reached an agreement to sign Manchester United winger Antony on loan, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Brazilian moved to Old Trafford from Ajax for a whopping €95 million in 2022, but he has failed to justify that eye-watering price tag and his exit is now on the verge of being finalised.

Antony hasn’t started a single Premier League game so far this season, and he has only racked up 407 minutes of action across all competitions since the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign.

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As a result, he has formally agreed to join Real Betis on a six-month loan deal, with the move now confirmed by the aforementioned Romano.

The transfer expert posted on X: “Antony to Real Betis, here we go! Verbal agreement in place between all parties with Man United too.

“Documents being checked; then time for travel and medical tests. United will let him leave on loan deal with no buy clause. He’ll be formally back to United in June.”

Real Betis are currently 12th in La Liga and Antony is set to arrive as Assane Diao’s replacement, following the Spaniard’s move to Como.

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Antony to Real Betis: Man Utd insert penalty clause

While Man Utd have agreed to let Antony join Real Betis on a dry six-month loan, they have reportedly included a unique clause in the deal.

According to ABC de Sevilla, Real Betis will pay less than 50% of Antony’s salary over the course of his loan move, although Man Utd have inserted a “penalty clause” should the Brazilian play less than a certain number of games before the end of the season.

Antony has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at Old Trafford and the Red Devils are seemingly eager for him to boost his transfer value over the next few months, before selling him on a permanent deal this summer.

His imminent loan move to Real Betis will be Man Utd's first piece of transfer business during the January window, with the club expected to sign at least one new player before Deadline Day.