Antony transfer: £21.6m Man Utd agreement WITHDRAWN as Kobbie Mainoo responds to Ruben Amorim plea

Manchester United’s Brazilian international Antony has been a part of the club’s ‘bomb squad’ this summer, and may now finally return to Real Betis, where he starred on loan in the second half of last season

Real Betis have issued a statement declaring they have WITHDRAWN their £21.6m offer for Antony – despite agreeing terms with Manchester United for the Brazilian to return.

Antony shone on loan at the Spanish club in the second half of last season, leading them to the UEFA Conference League final, where they were beaten by Chelsea. He returned to Manchester this summer as part of the club’s so-called ‘bomb squad’ – also featuring Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho – and has been keen to return to Seville.

Betis had felt they wouldn’t be able to get the funds required to do a deal and United made clear they didn’t want another straight loan. But the Spaniards this week pushed the boat out to agree terms with United.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim explains why he sometimes wants to quit Man Utd and ‘hates his players’READ MORE: Alejandro Garnacho’s claim about Kobbie Mainoo speaks volumes as Man Utd exit pushed

A £21.6m fee was agreed for a player – whom United paid Ajax £81.3m for three years ago – with a further £2.6m in add-ons. United also stood to make 50 percent on any profit that Betis made in any potential future sale of the 25-year-old, who remains United’s second-costliest signing of all time, behind Paul Pogba.

Nevertheless, while a deal with United was duly outlined, there were issues that needed to be sorted – not least Antony’s salary and the reduction he was about to undertake, given Betis cannot match the £6m-per-year he is paid at Old Trafford.

He has two years left on his deal and wanted the clubs to agree a deal that ensures he doesn’t miss out on his money – believed to be around £5m. Neither Betis or United wanted to make up the difference and Antony is believed to be unwilling to waive it. Thus the deal, despite an agreed fee, was left in limbo.

Then, amid leaks from both sides, Betis released a statement late on Friday night declaring: “There is no agreement and we have withdrawn the transfer offer because Real Betis can’t afford the transfer fee and the amounts that Manchester United must [instead] pay the player before the transfer.”

At Old Trafford, they believe it’s merely a bargaining tactic.

Kobbie Mainoo is another issue that United need to take care of before Monday’s transfer deadline – with the England midfielder desperate to move.

Mainoo, left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest Three Lions squad on Friday, has effectively been told by Ruben Amorim he’ll only play this season when Bruno Fernandes isn’t available. As such the 20-year-old wants to leave.

Mirror Football revealed on Friday that a permanent switch to Napoli has been blocked, but Mainoo his duly asked to be allowed to go out on loan for regular action.

Amorim responded at his pre-Burnley press conference on Friday, declaring: “I want Kobbie to stay,” Amorim said. “He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie.

“So that is not going to change. The rest I don’t know how it’s going to finish.

“I understand that the players that are not playing in this moment are disappointed. But everyone will have the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week.”

However, that isn’t good enough for Mainoo who will respond to his manager’s comments by reiterating his desire to leave for regular game time this weekend, before Monday’s 7pm deadline.

Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.