Manchester United spent £87million to sign Antony but he struggled to impress at Old Trafford and was farmed out on loan by Ruben Amorim in January to Real Betis, where he has starred – now he has Chelsea in his sights
Manchester United misfit Antony is about to get his hands on a second European medal inside the space of a week – and this time the £87million winger hopes it’ll be a winner.
Antony, 25, will line up for Real Betis in the Europa Conference League Final in Wroclaw on Wednesday night just seven days after the players he left behind at Old Trafford were beaten by Tottenham in the Europa League Final. He is owed a runners-up medal by United after playing four games in Europe for the Reds this season before he was loaned to Betis in January.
While Ruben Amorim and Co are now getting over the disappointment of missing out on the chance to qualify for the Champions League, the Brazilian can strike gold against Chelsea.
Antony has been outstanding in Spain under the guidance of former Manchester City and West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini. Betis are desperate to keep the player at the club next season and beyond – but can’t afford the £40million United want back on one of a number of failed transfer investments.
The La Liga club’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League through their league position have faded and an enquiry from Betis about arranging another loan deal has already been knocked back.
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Betis haven’t spent more than £25million on a player in the 27 years since they set a club record by buying another Brazilian winger, Denilson. There is also the question of the £180,000-a-week wages that United have been subsidising.
Atletico Madrid have been monitoring Antony’s renaissance and have the cash to meet United’s asking price.
Old Trafford bosses are desperate to raise cash to hand to Amorim for a squad rebuild and that predicament has not gone unnoticed around Europe.
Antony, who struggled to show the form that prompted Erik ten Hag to bring him in from Ajax almost three years ago, has told Betis that he is prepared to commit himself to the club if they can fix a deal with United.
Antony said: “Because I went through some very tough times, I am now living a dream. My family knows what I have been through. I have cried with my mother, with my wife and with my siblings.
“I have found myself again at Real Betis – and the fans have also found me. I am someone who really likes to feel the love from the fans.”
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