Man Utd’s first transfer of the summer close: We’ll do everything possible to get it done

Robin Bairner

7 Apr 2025 00:40 CDT
3 min read

Manchester United have been told that their first official transfer of the summer is close, with Real Betis’ sporting director explaining that they will “do everything possible” to sign Antony on a prolonged basis.

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The Brazil international was shipped across to the Seville side on loan during January after falling out of favour with Ruben Amorim.

Current ETV

Antony

M, AM (R)

Real Betis

Antony

M, AM (R)

Real Betis

ETV Range

€20.4M - €24.9M

A €95 million signing from Ajax, Antony struggled to show his best form in Manchester, but the 25-year-old has scored four goals and delivered four assists in 13 outings for Real Betis. Such form has been sufficient to persuade the Andalucians that he is a player worth breaking the bank to sign.

“It's a source of satisfaction on a personal level, but it's the result of teamwork,” sporting director Manu Fajardo explained in quotes published by Mundo Deportivo.

“Although I'm responsible for the sporting direction, there are many people involved in this signing. It's still early days, but we'll try in different ways to do everything possible to continue enjoying Antony.”

Signing Antony permanently may prove out of Los Beticos’ reach due to a combination of his wages and Man Utd’s desire to secure a healthy transfer fee for him to recoup as much of their outlay as possible. An extended loan, however, is not an unrealistic goal for the Spaniards.

Previously, Fajardo had claimed that Man Utd had “devalued” Antony and went on to describe the performances of the player as “spectacular”.

We need to do crowdfunding to bring Antony in!

- Isco on Antony

Real Betis’ sporting director is not the only person at the Benito Villamarin to have been left impressed by the 16-cap Brazil international.

Isco, a winner of multiple Champions Leagues, has claimed the club should issue a crowdfunder to sign the star.

Antony wants Real Betis stay

Antony, meanwhile, has admitted the atmosphere in Seville is more to his liking than that in Manchester.

“Seville reminds me of many things in Brazil: the sun, the food and the people,” he told DAZN. “It’s very important for people who come from my country.

“I needed to find myself and be happy. Every day that goes by, I think it's the best decision I could have made. I learned a lot of good things at Manchester United, but I also experienced a lot of bad things there.”

Antony and Real Betis both want an extended agreement, now it’s just up to them to reach a deal with Man Utd.