Manchester United have warned Antony that he will be left on the sidelines until January unless he accepts an offer to leave the club before the transfer deadline, according to reports in Spain.
Antony shone on loan at Real Betis in the second half of last season, racking up nine goals and five assists in all competitions for the La Liga outfit.
But the Red Devils are pushing to get Antony off their books, despite his resurgence in Spanish football, and Betis have been exploring a possible permanent deal for the 25-year-old winger throughout the summer.
Antony has been desperate secure a return to Seville, eager to pick up where he left off following his return to form under Betis head coach Manuel Pellegrini.
The two clubs have been unable to reach an agreement, though, with Betis favouring a season-long loan with an obligation or option to buy at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it’s an open goal.
Brighton, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig – plus teams from Turkey and the Saudi Pro League – have also been credited with an interest in recent weeks, while Primeira Liga side Benfica have twice approached United over the prospect of signing Antony on a temporary basis.
According to Seville-based publication ABC, United have now issued an ultimatum to Antony: either find and accept an offer to leave permanently for around €30-40million (£26-34.5m) or remain in the stands until the winter – ‘with the almost certain consequence of missing the 2026 World Cup’.
Betis plan to hold out until the end of the transfer market to seal a loan. But the report claims United want to ‘thwart Betis’ strategy’ by pressurising the player into making a decision immediately, with Old Trafford bosses keen to avoid the saga dragging on right up until the deadline.
It comes just three years after United decided to part with £82m to sign Antony from Ajax. In that time, the Brazil international has managed a total of just five goals in the Premier League.
Antony has been training separately from the rest of Ruben Amorim’s squad and was not included on United’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Speaking to the Spanish media this week, Betis president Angel Haro confirmed the club were still working on a possible deal for the United forward.
‘We’ve been working since the beginning of the transfer window. It’s a complicated deal,’ Haro told reporters.
‘We’re working, but it has to fit within our financial limits and our opinion of a balanced squad.
‘If he does make it, we’ll make the deal. United also has a lot to say.’
Asked if he was optimistic of striking a deal for Antony, Haro replied: “I’m the same as I was. It’s a complicated deal.
‘I’m optimistic about Betis and Antony’s willingness, but I don’t know what Manchester United’s final position will be.’
Antony still has two years remaining on his current contract at the Theatre of Dreams.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
