Inside Antony's stunning start at Betis and how Man Utd 'have to pay £12m for sale'

Manchester United have been warned they may need to fork out up to £12m to offload Antony in the summer transfer window, with former goalkeeper Ben Foster suggesting the Brazilian winger will demand a significant payout to leave Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old, currently on loan at Real Betis, has struggled to justify his £86m price tag since joining United from Ajax in 2022, and the club is now keen to move him on as part of Rúben Amorim’s squad overhaul.

Antony’s time at United has been marred by inconsistent performances, with just 12 goals and 11 assists in 91 appearances across all competitions. His loan move to Real Betis in January 2025 has seen him rediscover some form, scoring three goals in eight La Liga outings, but it hasn’t changed United’s stance on his future.

maThe Red Devils are reportedly planning a major clear-out, with up to 10 players potentially departing, and Antony is high on the list of those deemed surplus to requirements.

Speaking on his Fozcast podcast, Foster, who made five appearances for United between 2005 and 2010, highlighted the financial hurdle the club faces. “With Antony, the rumours are that he’s on around £200,000 a week, and there’s not many teams in world football that can sign him,” Foster said.

“What will most probably happen is if somebody like Real Betis did sign him, Antony will say to Manchester United, ‘I will accept the transfer to Real Betis,’ but he’ll want a payout to cover the wages he’d lose.”

Using Foster’s estimate of Antony’s £200,000 weekly salary, and assuming a two-year remainder on his contract (which runs until 2027 with an option for an extra year), the winger could demand up to £12m to waive his current terms and accept a lower wage elsewhere.

This figure aligns with the significant sums United have had to pay in the past to facilitate exits for high earners like Alexis Sánchez.

)United’s desire to shift Antony comes amid a challenging season, with the team sitting 13th in the Premier League and facing the prospect of no European football next term. Amorim, who took charge in November 2024, has made it clear that trimming the wage bill and raising funds through sales are priorities, especially after the disappointing returns from big-money signings like Antony, Joshua Zirkzee, and Rasmus Højlund.

The Brazilian’s happier spell at Betis—where he’s reportedly enjoying his football more than he did in England—could pave the way for a permanent move, but only if the financials align.Real Betis, while pleased with Antony’s contributions, are unlikely to match his current wages or pay a hefty transfer fee, putting the onus on United to bridge the gap.

Foster’s warning underscores the broader challenge for the club as they navigate a summer of transition under INEOS ownership, with CEO Omar Berrada tasked with balancing the books. For now, Antony’s future remains a costly question mark hanging over Old Trafford.