Man Utd soften Antony sale stance after Real Betis offer

Manchester United are prepared to sanction a second loan move for Antony if they do not receive acceptable offers for a permanent transfer, a report has claimed.

After two-and-a-half miserable years at Old Trafford, the £86m signing was sent on loan to Real Betis in January in an attempt to raise his transfer value. Things have gone according to plan so far, with Antony racking up seven goals and four assists in 20 appearances for the Spanish outfit.

The deal does not include the option for a permanent transfer, but Betis have made no secret of their desire to retain Antony beyond this summer. Club officials have openly discussed their hope of signing the winger again and it was recently reported that Betis are looking to extend his loan by a further 12 months.

Key to United's decision is the fact they are still paying Ajax for their initial acquisition of Antony in January 2022, so any money raised by his sale this summer will instantly be reduced after those payments to the Dutch side.

United are thought to be looking for around £40m and are determined not to be forced into a cut-price deal.

Betis' bid to retain Antony's services could be complicated by rival interest which has been drummed up by his excellent form in Spain. La Liga giants Atletico Madrid have been named as suitors and there has even been reports of interest from Arsenal.

Any negotiations over a loan are likely to involve the possibility of a future transfer. United would prefer an obligation, while Betis may favour an option centred around their qualification for the Champions League, which could be crucial to their chances of meeting the Red Devils' financial demands.

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