Man Utd get major transfer boost as manager opens door to deal for £86m star

Real Betis have hinted they will look to make Antony's loan move permanent in the summer, with manager Manuel Pellegrini branding the winger a "quality player".

Antony joined Betis on loan for the remainder of the season last month after struggling to make much of an impact at Manchester United. The Red Devils forked out around £86million to sign him from Ajax back in 2022, but Antony managed just 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for the club.

However, he has enjoyed a promising start to life at Betis, with the Brazilian named player of the match on his debut and scoring in his second appearance for the club. Betis' CEO Ramon Alarcon has now revealed the club are interested in keeping Antony beyond this season.

When asked about the 24-year-old's future, Alarcon told Cadena Ser's Radio Sevilla: "I think so. The other day the CEO of United called me. We sent them all the moves and details of the player throughout the week so that they can see that we are looking after their asset.

"There is very good chemistry with Manchester [United] and with the player. It is a possibility that he will continue next season, why not?"

Pellegrini has also praised Antony's immediate impact, stating after his debut: "Well, I think it was a very positive debut. He's a quality player. I was talking to him just before the game. I think a good player doesn't have to be constantly showing off his skills with the ball.

"He has to play a good game, make few mistakes and do two or three important things: a goal, a good pass, a good cross. I think he was very involved today, especially with the second goal. He had just arrived a couple of days before and I think he's going to contribute a lot to us.

Despite Antony's impressive start, Betis are yet to pick up a win since his arrival, having drawn 2-2 with Athletic Bilbao and lost 3-2 to Celta Vigo in his first two games. Speaking after the defeat to Celta, Antony told DAZN: "We started very well.

"We went 2-0 up but we have to change our mentality, We scored two goals, but we have to be focused throughout the match, the 90 minutes. We have to work to be better.

"We have to change our mentality. We have to start well and finish well. We have to work hard, look at what we are not doing well in order to get the three points in the next game."