Antony's bold ultimatum puts Man Utd in a transfer dilemma
Manchester United find themselves in a tricky situation with Antony. The Brazilian winger has apparently drawn a clear line in the sand, telling the club he will only accept a return to Real Betis.
With the Spanish side keeping their No.7 jersey vacant for him, the standoff is starting to feel like extra time with no end in sight.
Antony impressed at Betis last season during his loan, and the fans quickly took to him.
That bond now seems unbreakable, as the winger has rejected offers from Benfica and Saudi Arabia. His message to United is simple: let me go back to Spain.
But United are holding out for around £30-34 million, while Betis want a cheaper arrangement, either another loan or a shared-ownership model.
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What's stopping Antony's Man Utd exit
The gap between United's valuation and Betis' offer is the biggest hurdle. Reports suggest Betis are prepared to carry more of his wages but cannot match the full transfer fee.
United, meanwhile, have frozen him out of the squad, hoping pressure will change his mind. Instead, Antony has doubled down, reportedly telling the club he's ready to wait until the very last day of the window, as per Estadio Deportivo.
Adding fuel to the fire, Betis have already kept a non-EU slot open just for him. That move signals they're serious, even if the finances remain a sticking point.
Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo tried to calm the noise, saying: 'We have to be respectful of the situation. Maintain caution, in line with what we've been discussing. It's a complex operation, given the profile of the player he is, and the profile of the club he belongs to.'
United fans, however, are growing restless. Some see Antony's stance as stubborn, while others argue the club should cash in rather than let him sit idle.
With September 1 looming, the clock is ticking — and right now, it feels like Antony is dribbling past Old Trafford's boardroom more easily than defenders on the pitch.
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