Manchester United have received a proposal for a record-breaking transfer for one of their unwanted players but there remains a major issue with the deal.
This summer, Manchester United are in desperate need of improving their squad with new players and they’re beginning to do that.
However, it is equally important for the club to sell players who are unwanted – not just to generate cash but to trim an unnecessarily large squad.
There are several players within Ruben Amorim’s squad who could be on the chopping block but the most obvious sales are those who spent periods of last season on loan.
Jadon Sancho was at Chelsea for the entire of the campaign while Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia went out on loans during the January window.
United receive proposal for record-breaking transfer
Antony joined Spanish side Real Betis, where he rediscovered his form in impressive fashion. In 26 appearances, the 25-year-old notched nine goals and five assists.
He earned a call-up to the Brazilian national team this month and it is clear that Betis want to keep him at the club next season.
After meetings took place between the two clubs this week, it has been reported by MailSport that Betis are prepared to take Antony on an initial loan and place a £35 million buy option in the deal.
If they were to end up paying that fee at the end of a second loan spell, Betis would smash their long-standing record transfer signing of Denílson, who joined in 1998 for around £21.5 million.
Yet, those at Old Trafford will still have major question marks over any offer which doesn’t guarantee them cash – especially for a player who is seemingly attracting some interest from elsewhere.
United will not be backed into corner with Antony transfer
There have been several clubs who have registered interest in Antony this summer and even if his preference is to return to Betis – a loan deal simply won’t be enough.
The £35 million fee would be enough for the Reds but they cannot risk that coming in the form of a buy-option. Even an obligation brings risk, as shown by Sancho at Chelsea.
Fortunately, at least in this case, Antony’s stock has risen and that means that United are not going to be forced into a corner. There will be a club willing to sign him permanently.
Whether or not the fee will match the record-breaking one Betis are willing to potentially pay is another thing. United have rarely been able to get value out of sales beforehand.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.