Antony Transfer Hinges on Pay Cut, Says Betis Chief

Antony transfer optimism is building in Andalusia, yet the deal’s success rests on one undeniable truth: the Brazilian winger must slash his Old Trafford wages if he wants to pull on the verdiblanco shirt again.

Why the Antony transfer stalled

Manchester United sanctioned a six-month loan in January, hoping regular minutes in La Liga would revive a faltering £85 million investment. Five goals, a Conference League final run and a rapturous Benito Villamarín crowd later, Antony craves a permanent home in Seville. But the Antony transfer faces a familiar obstacle—money. United still hold two years of amortisation on their books and need a meaningful fee, while Betis run one of Spain’s tightest wage structures.

Betis president outlines the salary hurdle

Angel Haro has been blunt in public. Speaking to Cope Sevilla, he confirmed negotiations with both club and player but reiterated that “coming to Betis entails a considerable reduction in salary.” In other words, the Antony transfer hinges on the winger accepting a pay packet more in line with Betis stalwarts Nabil Fekir and Isco, rather than the Premier League’s lofty scales. Haro insists the club “won’t break” its financial grid, a stance welcomed by La Liga’s strict cost-control auditors.

United’s position: recoup and rebuild

Erik ten Hag is under pressure to reshape a squad that missed out on Champions League football. Selling fringe assets is essential, and the Antony transfer would free roughly £200,000 per week and unlock funds for reinforcements. Yet Old Trafford chiefs are wary of a straight-loan repeat; a permanent move or an obligatory purchase clause is preferred. That stance complicates talks because Betis traditionally favor staggered payments.

The numbers on the table

• United valuation: €40-45 million to avoid a book loss
• Betis proposal: initial loan fee + €25 million option
• Player’s wage at United: approx. €12 million gross per year
• Proposed Betis wage: €4-5 million gross per year

Unless Antony relinquishes close to €7 million annually, the Antony transfer will remain theory rather than reality.

Timeline: how we got here

2022 – Sky-high expectations

United sign Antony from Ajax for a staggering £85 million, betting on Ten Hag’s trusted protégé.

2023 – Form dips

After a bright start, the Brazilian’s confidence wanes amid injuries and tactical shifts. No league goals post-February.

January 2025 – Loan lifeline

The Antony transfer, albeit temporary, revives his spark. Betis hand him freedom on the right flank; he repays with decisive strikes against Athletic and Brugge.

June 2025 – Talks intensify

Betis finish sixth, snatch a Europa League spot and enter discussions to keep their new fan favorite.

Why Betis want him back

Style fit – Manuel Pellegrini’s possession-based 4-2-3-1 grants Antony the one-v-one scenarios he relishes.
Fan connection – The Benito Villamarín crowd unveiled a banner reading “Antony Quédate” (Antony Stay) during the Conference League semi-final.
Commercial lift – Shirt sales spiked 18 % during his half-season stay, a notable figure for a club operating without Premier League TV riches.

Alternative suitors circling

While the Antony transfer remains Betis’s priority, other clubs monitor events. Juventus see him as a potential Federico Chiesa replacement, while West Ham have enquired about a season-long loan. In Brazil, Flamengo dream of a marquee returnee, although United would prefer a European buyer. Each option, however, carries the same caveat: wages must be addressed.

Can a creative structure unlock the Antony transfer?

Sources close to the negotiations mention a three-tier solution:
1. United accept an initial €8 million loan fee.
2. Betis obtain an automatic €27 million purchase clause triggered by 25 starts.
3. United retain a 20 % sell-on clause to protect future upside.
Such a model mirrors the deals that brought Giovani Lo Celso and Guido Rodríguez to Seville and would allow Betis to amortize costs across several seasons.

La Liga’s salary-cap reality

Spain’s revenue-based squad cost limits mean Betis can only allocate around 70 % of their projected income to wages and transfer fees combined. Last season their cap sat near €100 million—tiny when compared to United’s €450 million limit. This financial gulf explains why the Antony transfer demands personal sacrifice from the player himself.

What the player wants

Antony has privately told friends he “felt alive again” under the Andalusian sun. Regular minutes, Portuguese-speaking teammates and the chance to play European knockout football tick every box. Crucially, he is conscious of looming Copa América 2026 selection, and knows another bench-bound campaign in Manchester could cost him a national-team place.

Agent’s balancing act

The winger’s representatives are exploring image-rights deals and performance-linked bonuses to offset the pay cut. Betis have partnered with local sponsors in the past—most famously engineering extra revenue for Dani Ceballos in 2015—so creative solutions are possible.

Key dates for the Antony transfer

• 1 July – United players report for pre-season; Ten Hag wants clarity.
• 15 July – Betis depart on a U.S. tour; Pellegrini hopes to integrate new signings.
• 31 August – La Liga window closes. If no agreement is reached, United may pivot to a Premier League rival.

Potential domino effect at United

Should the Antony transfer go through, United would accelerate moves for a right-sided forward with Premier League experience—names such as Michael Olise and Pedro Neto top their shortlist. Additionally, academy product Amad Diallo could receive more minutes, aligning with INEOS’s proposed youth-led philosophy.

The statistical case for patience

Despite criticism, Antony still boasts an 85 % pass accuracy and completes 2.1 dribbles per 90—the highest in Betis’s squad last season. Pellegrini believes these metrics justify the financial stretch, provided the wage bill remains intact.

Opinion: a rare win-win scenario

If the Antony transfer materialises, all parties could emerge satisfied. Betis would secure a dynamic winger who already understands the dressing-room culture, United would lighten their wage load and avoid a depreciating asset, and Antony would reclaim the stage that best suits his expressive style. Deals this complex often collapse under their own weight, yet the shared willingness—especially the player’s readiness to forgo Premier League earnings—suggests an agreement is achievable. For once, football romance and fiscal prudence may align in the green-and-white half of Seville.