Man Utd may be stuck with Antony as Real Betis chief outlines transfer needs

Antony is enjoying life at Real Betis but the La Liga club are relying on European qualification before considering whether to make the Brazilian's loan from Manchester United permanent.

Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo has said their hopes of signing Antony on a permanent deal from Manchester United this summer may depend on qualifying for the Champions League. The Brazilian forward has made a quick impact for the Seville club as they chase a top five finish in La Liga - having failed to offer any positives during his time at Old Trafford after arriving in an eye-watering £85m deal in 2022.

And having already said he has found a new lease of life in Spain, Antony is eager to extend his stay. Betis, too, would be keen but a loan extension into next season has been mooted for a player who earns £105,000 per week.

It was revealed earlier this week that Betis are paying more than 80 per cent of his salary but Fajardo has hinted that keeping him beyond the summer may rely on securing a place in UEFA competitions next season.

He said: "In Betis' sporting department, we work on 'devalued' players, analysing data from players who have reached very high moments and peaks, but who for various reasons have significantly decreased their performance.

"We are concerned about their situation and speak with major clubs. In his case, we were able to anticipate and convince the player, and his entourage. Today, Antony is performing immediately from minute one in the squad.

"We haven't lost our enthusiasm, we can't rule out anything in football, and hopefully Real Betis will remain in the top European positions to benefit his continuity and the arrival of other great players."

Before this weekend’s round of games, Betis were only out of a Champions League place on goal difference. Fifth spot is expected to be enough for La Liga owing to the current coefficient standings. Manuel Pellegrini’s side host Sevilla in the derby on Sunday night.

United, meanwhile, return to action on Tuesday night with a trip to Nottingham Forest. Ruben Amorim's team remain 13th in the table, seven points off 10th, although they do have a two-legged Europa League quarter-final against Lyon to come in mid-April.

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