Whilst experiencing a successful loan out in Spain, Real Betis higher-ups have vowed to try and make Antony’s loan permanent in the summer.
After experiencing what had been a miserable couple of years in England with Manchester United, things have since started looking up for Brazilian winger Antony, who is currently enjoying a very fruitful loan for Real Betis.
Having signed for United in 2022 from Ajax for £86 million, Antony has failed to light the league up as many hoped he would, and he has only mustered five Premier League goals in 62 appearances, with three of these coming in his first three games.
One of the first decisions made under new manager Rúben Amorim was to send their Brazilian winger on loan to see if he could improve his form, which has been very successful and has set up an interesting summer saga.
Since arriving in Spain, Antony has scored three goals and assisted two in La Liga, as well as contributing to four goals in six games in the Conference League.
Betis president vows to try and sign Antony
After reaping the rewards of pastures new, Antony’s form has prompted the Betis higher-ups to speak out about making the 25-year-old’s signing a priority in the summer.
Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo said, via TeamTalk, “Although I am responsible for the sporting management, there are many people involved in this signing. It’s still early, but we will try in different ways to do everything possible to continue enjoying Antony.”
Also in the same article, it states that the Betis president has made “a personal vow to secure his signing on a permanent basis” in the coming months.
As United will be looking to recoup as much of their £86 million as possible, they have valued Antony at around £42.8 million, which is seen as too steep even if Betis qualify for the Champions League.
Antony saga to open up swap deal?
Unless United lower their valuation, a straightforward signing looks unlikely, with either another loan deal or a swap deal seeming a lot more favourable to the Spanish outfit.
With a swap deal in mind, it has recently been reported that Amorim’s side have been scouting Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso, which could make this deal a lot easier for both parties.
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The Brazilian’s manager, Manuel Pellegrini, said, “We would all be happy if he stayed”, whilst Antony himself admitted that, “I am very happy here, but I do not know what will happen in the future.”
Despite his future being an unknown, Antony will be hoping to finish his loan spell with silverware, as his Betis side are currently in the semi-finals of the Conference League, before he then heads back to Manchester for an eventful summer.
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