Antony rejects third transfer this summer despite role in bomb squad

Antony has turned down the chance to leave Manchester United for the third time this summer as he holds out for a return to Real Betis. United have been attempting to shift Antony, 25, since the transfer window opened.

Ruben Amorim even made the 16-time Brazil international part of his five-man 'bomb squad' which also included Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia. None of the quintet travelled to the USA for the Red Devils' pre-season tour which ended in a 2-2 draw with Everton on Sunday, as United won the Premier League Summer Series.

Only Rashford has found himself a move, joining Barcelona on a season-long loan. In Antony's case, the Red Devils are refusing to sanction a temporary departure and have maintained their £30million asking price.

That's a 65 per cent drop on the £86m which United paid Ajax to sign him just three years ago. The winger wants to rejoin Betis but so far the Spanish side are yet to meet the demands of Amorim's side.

Antony hasn't been short of suitors, though, snubbing interest from Brazilian giants Botafogo and Sao Paulo. Now the exiled star has rejected a third approach.

Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al-Nassr, where former United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo plays, have become the latest potential suitor to face rejection. Spanish outlet Sport claim that Antony is desperate to secure a move back to Betis and he's unwilling to join any other club.

It's added that Antony is open to taking a significant pay cut on his £4m-a-year salary to rejoin Manuel Pellegrini's men, who are set to resume talks with the Red Devils in the coming days. Betis begin their La Liga campaign in a fortnight.

Amorim discussed the future of his four unwanted stars last week. "There are players that clearly show they don't want to be here and that is normal," the United manager acknowledged.

"They are not bad and I'm good. I'm not bad and they are good. It's a simple situation that they want new challenges. So we will try to use this space to prepare the team that I think is going to be here.

"If the market closes and then they are Manchester United players, we as a club have to treat them in the same conditions. But in this moment I'm just working with the players that I think are going to stay and the other guys are trying to find a solution for their careers."