Manchester United winger, Antony, has expressed his delight over his impending loan move to Real Betis. The £84m signing is set to join the Spanish club on a six-month loan deal as he aims to revive his career that has been in a slump since he moved from Ajax to United in 2022.
Antony is currently in Seville for medical tests and finalizing the details of his move. Speaking with local media, the Brazilian footballer stated that he was "so happy" about this new chapter of his career. This transfer comes as an opportunity for Antony to regain momentum after a challenging period at Manchester United.
Antony, Brazilian winger, said:
"I'm so happy, I'm ready."
Financial aspects of the deal
Interestingly, no loan fee was paid by Betis for securing Antony's services. However, according to reports, they have agreed to cover at least 84% of Antony's wages and offer him performance-related bonuses. This arrangement will save Manchester United approximately £1.5m until the end of this season.
It should be noted that there isn't an option included in this deal for Real Betis to make this move permanent. Therefore, upon completion of his loan term at Betis, Antony is expected back at Old Trafford during summer for further discussions regarding his future with Man Utd.
Reflecting on his time at Man Utd
During his two-and-a-half-year stint with Manchester United, Antony made 96 appearances but managed only 12 goals and five assists - a record which perhaps underscores why he seeks rejuvenation elsewhere.
Despite these statistics and current circumstances surrounding him leaving temporarily on loan; it’s important not forget that Anthony remains under contract with Manchester United until 2027 - providing some stability amidst uncertainty about where exactly he’ll be playing long-term post-loan spell. Moreover; the Red Devils have an option for a 12-month extension on his contract, which could potentially see Antony remain at Old Trafford until 2028.
This loan move to Real Betis presents Antony with a chance to reignite his career and prove his worth once again. With no permanent transfer option in the deal, it will be interesting to see how this chapter unfolds and what lies ahead for Antony upon his return to Manchester United. For now, all eyes will be on him as he embarks on this new journey in Spain.
