Real Betis confirm Antony transfer is OFF unless Man Utd pay exit fee or player lowers demands with Spanish side unable to afford Brazilian on permanent deal

United had given the 25-year-old Brazilian permission to travel to Spain to finalise terms. The agreement included a hefty £21.6m fee and a 50 per cent sell-on clause. Everything appeared on track until discussions over wages and severance spiralled out of control. Antony’s camp insisted there was still a shortfall in wages to be settled before pen could be put to paper, while Betis made it clear they were unwilling to cover the full cost of the package.

Betis did not mince their words. Their statement read: “There is no agreement and we have withdrawn the transfer offer because Real Betis can’t afford the transfer fee and the amounts that Manchester United must [instead] pay the player before the transfer.”

Inside Old Trafford, the mood is different. According to The Daily Mail, United believe Betis’ withdrawal is merely a negotiating ploy designed to pile pressure on Antony to compromise on his personal terms. The Red Devils are convinced the Spanish side still want him and are waiting for the winger to accept a severance package from United that would reduce the overall cost of the deal.

Since his £85m ($114m) arrival from Ajax, Antony has endured a torrid time at Old Trafford. While he lifted both the FA Cup and League Cup, his personal contribution has been underwhelming. In 96 appearances for United, the winger has found the net only 12 times and provided nine assists, a return far short of the hefty price tag that once made him one of Europe’s most expensive players. However, during his loan spell earlier this year, Antony had looked a man reborn. He bagged five La Liga goals, laid on two assists in just 15 starts, and was even nominated for the Player of the Month award in his opening weeks.

With two years still left on his contract, Antony now faces an awkward limbo. Betis claim they cannot move forward without a lower financial package, while United are reluctant to keep a player whose future looks elsewhere. With the transfer window ticking down, it seems that both clubs remain locked in a high-stakes poker game.