Man Utd take huge financial hit on Antony but insert clever transfer clause into deal

Antony is set to leave Manchester United on transfer deadline day, with the winger set to complete a permanent move to Real Betis after impressing on loan last season

Manchester United are set to take a massive hit on Antony after agreeing a deal to sell the winger to Real Betis for £21.5million. Antony joined United from Ajax for an initial £81.3million in 2022 as one of Erik ten Hag’s first signings.

However, the 25-year-old failed to live up to expectations and managed just 12 goals and five assists in 96 games across all competitions. Antony has now fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim and spent the second half of last season on loan at Betis.

The Brazilian did find some form at Betis, netting five goals and providing five assists in 26 appearances as they reached the final of the Conference League. Betis have been attempting to re-sign Antony all summer and an agreement has now been reached.

United are set to take a hit of almost £60m on the winger, but BBC Sport are reporting that they have inserted a 50 per cent net sell-on clause into the deal and will not have to give Antony a pay-off.

Antony has been part of United’s so-called ‘bomb squad’ this summer, having been outcast from the first team alongside Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia.

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Rashford has since joined Barcelona on loan with an option to buy, while Garnacho has signed for Chelsea in a £40m deal. Talks over moves for both Sancho and Malacia remain ongoing.

“I know it’s not a good thing to have players in this situation, but it’s clear that they want to play in a different club,” Amorim said when asked about the ‘bomb squad’ last month. “It’s not an idea that these players are going to leave and then we’ll receive another player.

We don’t know what is going to happen but we are not waiting to take out someone to bring another player. One thing is not responsible for the other.

“The players you’re talking about are not players who are training with the group in this moment. We have a group training so it’s not going to affect a lot.”

United have endured a difficult start to the season, picking up four points from their first three Premier League games and suffering a humiliating exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of League Two side Grimsby.

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