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Manchester United face transfer deadlock as 25-year-old outcast faces uncertain future

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 4:50 PM ET

Manchester United are facing a frustrating situation regarding Antony

The situation of some players seems to never find a quick resolution. The case of Antony and his future at Manchester United is one such example. The Brazilian winger arrived with high expectations after his time at Ajax, but his impact at Old Trafford left more questions than answers. Now, Real Betis are insisting on bringing him back and giving him a new opportunity in Spain. In Seville, they believe he can reinvent himself, but they know they must tread carefully to balance the books and convince the English side. For the Manchester club, this operation represents both a financial and sporting challenge.

According to ABC Sevilla, as relayed by Sport Witness, Real Betis are in active talks to sign Antony permanently. According to this media outlet, all parties are willing to do so. The player wants to return to the Spanish league, Betis are keen to strengthen their squad with his quality, and United would not stand in the way of his departure.

However, the financial terms have not yet been finalised. Three weeks ago, Antony’s agents were in Seville, and shortly afterwards, senior Betis officials travelled to London. Despite these meetings, no specific figures or deadlines have been set. The optimism at the Villamarín contrasts with the slow pace of the talks.

Opinion:

In our opinion, Manchester United should demand a transfer fee that compensates for their investment. The 25-year-old has not performed as expected, but that does not mean they should give him away for free. Betis can take advantage of the situation if they know how to negotiate well, although they do not have the financial muscle to break the bank. If they manage to agree on a reasonable payment plan, everyone could benefit.

As for the squad, Antony’s departure would leave a gap on the right wing. Ruben Amorim would have to decide whether to put his faith in young players such as Amad Diallo or to ask for another reliable reinforcement. United are already dealing with a complex transfer market, and freeing up places could help them to close other more priority deals. Even so, letting go of an attacking player without having a clear replacement could upset the rotation.

The main question is whether letting Antony go is a sensible decision. At Old Trafford, most of the fans have lost patience with him, but there is always the question of whether he could be relaunched with a coach who understands him better. However, his poor performance and consistency issues suggest that it is best to move on. In the end, we suspect that Antony will end up leaving. Betis will push hard to make it happen, although they will have to be creative with the payments. United, for their part, will prioritise getting rid of a high salary and recouping some money. If nothing goes wrong, the Brazilian will be back in green and white before the transfer window closes. This saga will soon reach its final chapter.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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