Real Betis continue with what appears to be an arrogant approach to signing Antony from Manchester United, and they plan to drag the situation out further in an attempt to get what they want from the Premier League club.
As a recap, the Brazilian spent the second half of last season at Betis in a loan move which couldn’t have gone much better for the player and the Seville club. He became a La Liga star, loved by fans, and there was talk of Betis doing everything they possibly could to secure him for the coming season.
Now, several days into August, there hasn’t been any progress on a move. There’s been talk in the media local to Betis about the club using a myriad of formulas to get the winger back, but all of those formulas have essentially boiled down to not paying Manchester United and not committing to buying the player.
The Monday editions of both Diario de Sevilla and ABC Sevilla cover the situation. According to the latter, who headline their article ‘strategy of attrition’, ‘Betis will wait until the end of the transfer window to secure another loan’.
Given Antony’s desire is to return to Betis, ‘the Verdiblancos drew up a plan that is expected to be implemented only in the final stretch of the transfer window’.
Real Betis want Antony without an obligation
The report goes on to say the Betis offer on the table is for a loan without a purchase obligation. ABC state Betis have no plans for any concrete action between the clubs at this stage, preferring to drag things out until the very end of the window.
Manchester United are said to want €40m, and Betis don’t see themselves in a position to pay that. In addition, it’s claimed they wouldn’t want to pay the player’s full salary, so that also complicates a permanent move.
ABC Sevilla state: ‘Betis has been quiet for several weeks. There has been dialogue with Antony’s agents, and also directly with the winger, to encourage him and assure him that Heliópolis will support him, but on the dates considered most advantageous for his return.
‘His determination is clear, and he made this clear to United’s management since early June. He only wants to return to Betis. The fact that the Verdiblancos are currently only considering a loan means that the player would have to renew with United for another year, given that his contract expires in 2027.’
Longer term, Real Betis’ plan is to potentially secure an option to buy at a heavily discounted rate and then sell Antony on for a big profit.
At this point, the arrogance is astounding and it surely has to be getting to the stage that Antony and his agents can also see that. He hasn’t taken part in a meaningful preseason and regardless of what happens from here that has to be a negative.
Not only should Manchester United perhaps be killing the idea of a move to Real Betis entirely, and likely should have done so weeks ago unless there was a rapid change in stance, but they should also make it known they won’t be doing business with them again and put out a cautionary message to other clubs. The level of disrespect, especially after such a successful loan, is so brazen it verges on being impressive.
As it stands, Betis appear to feel they can bully the Red Devils and get what they want at a time of their choosing.
