Antony looked to have secured a transfer away from Manchester United but Real Betis have since cast that into doubt after a releasing a statement on the situation on Friday evening
Antony has released a message after his transfer from Manchester United to Real Betis ground to a halt. The La Liga side issued a statement on Friday withdrawing their offer, despite the Red Devils having agreed terms.
A £21.6million fee was agreed for the Brazilian star who spent time on loan at Betis last season. A further £2.6m was set to be payable in add-ons with United set to take a £60m loss on the former Ajax ace, but the club stood to gain 50 percent of any profit that Betis made in any future sale of the 25-year-old.
Despite that, issues remained. Antony has two years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford and carries a significant salary that he does not want to lose. Neither Betis or United were willing to make up the difference and Antony is believed to be unwilling to waive what he stands to make.
Betis released a statement late on Friday declaring: "There is no agreement and we have withdrawn the transfer offer because Real Betis can't afford the transfer fee and the amounts that Manchester United must [instead] pay the player before the transfer."
United chiefs believe the stance of the Seville-based side is merely a bargaining tactic. For Antony's part, he appears relaxed.
Posting on Instagram, the winger filled his story with an image of himself with friends at what appears to be a restaurant. Antony added a thoughtful comment to his post.
“Among family and friends, life always has a big surprise in store for us," he wrote.
Antony joined the Spanish side on loan during the winter transfer window and shone in his spell with the club. The Brazil international helped the side to the UEFA Conference League final, where they were beaten by Chelsea, and looked to have made a strong connection to the club.
He returned to Manchester this summer as part of the club's so-called 'bomb squad'. Antony was outcast from first team preparations along with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia.
Rashford has since joined Barcelona on loan while a £40m fee has been agreed with Chelsea for Garnacho. Antony now looks set to join the other two players in uncertainty with just days remaining of the transfer window.