Antony set to complete move from Man Utd as Betis transfer raises vital cash

Antony is on the verge of sealing a permanent transfer to Real Betis, with the Spanish side raising funds through the sale of Johnny Cardoso.

Manchester United will get some money back from the huge investment in Antony with Betis taking on the player who was a success after joining in January.

Cardoso’s departure to Atletico Madrid in a £25million deal frees up significant funds and a non-EU slot in the Betis squad, directly paving the way for Antony’s long-term future at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.

Antony, who joined Betis after a frustrating spell at Old Trafford, has enjoyed a resurgence in Spain. The Brazilian scored nine goals and provided five assists in 26 appearances, playing a key role in Betis’s run to the UEFA Conference League final and their sixth-place La Liga finish.

His performances have convinced Betis to make his stay permanent, with the club prioritising the deal now that Cardoso’s transfer to Atletico has been agreed, reported the Express.

The winger is reportedly determined to remain in Seville, having already rebuffed interest from other clubs, including Como, to focus on extending his Betis adventure.

Antony is so keen to stay that he is willing to take a 30% pay cut to help Betis register him this summer—a move that would see his wages drop below the £120,000-a-week mark he earned at United.

This willingness to compromise on salary makes the deal more feasible for Betis, whose wage structure is considerably lower than that of Premier League clubs.

From Manchester United’s perspective, Antony’s sale is important for financial reasons. The club needs to recoup around £32.5 million to avoid a PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) hit, and with Betis now able to push ahead after Cardoso’s exit, the deal is expected to progress swiftly.

United have accepted that Antony, after a lacklustre two-and-a-half years in England, is not suited to the Premier League and are open to his departure.

With Betis now flush from Cardoso’s sale and Antony eager to continue his career in La Liga, all signs point to a permanent transfer being finalised in the coming days.