Antony looks set for a move away from Manchester United this summer, and his transfer away from the club is finally beginning to take shape after an offer from Saudi Arabia.
Antony spent the last six months of last season on loan at Real Betis, lighting up La Liga as he led the club to the Europa Conference League final, where they were defeated by Jadon Sancho’s Chelsea side.
Even though he wasn’t included in Rúben Amorim’s pre-season squad, Antony has yet to find a move away from Old Trafford, despite his fine form towards the end of last season for Betis.
Some people at Manchester United have reportedly suggested that Antony could be a good fit for Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, as a left-footed right-wing-back, in a similar fashion to Amad and young Bendito Mantato.
However, with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui still at the club, a return to Amorim’s first-team squad is unlikely for Antony, as he receives offers from Saudi Arabia.
Antony rejects Saudi move and holds out for Betis
An unnamed Saudi Arabian club has submitted an offer for Antony, but the Brazilian has turned down the approach, despite the opportunity of regular football away from Old Trafford.
Diaro de Sevilla has reported that Antony has rejected the offer from Saudi Arabia because he is holding out for a move to Real Betis, returning to the club that helped him reignite his career after a tough spell at United.
It is reported that Betis would be looking for another loan move because they couldn’t afford the wage package that Antony would want if he were to leave the Red Devils permanently, meaning a full transfer is impossible for the time being.
For Betis, the plan is moving forward as they wait for Antony, leaving a non-EU player slot in their first-team squad, an important factor if the Spanish side are to make a move for the Brazilian.
United could be forced into Betis’ demands
Having left him out of the pre-season squad, Amorim clearly doesn’t see a future for Antony at Old Trafford, even if he were to drop back to right-wing-back and compete with Amad.
This puts Jason Wilcox in a poor negotiating position, as everyone knows the club need to sell the winger before the summer transfer window shuts, ideally before the Premier League season begins in just a few weeks.
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United still need to sell Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho from “The Bomb Squad”, but it is believed that Altay Bayindir is also looking for a move away from Old Trafford this summer, searching for regular gametime.
Therefore, Wilcox and the transfer team may be forced into accepting Betis’ loan offer for Antony, so they can spend more time focusing on other transfers before the window shuts.
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