Fire Sale for the Forgotten Star: Man United Willing to Sell Antony at 60% Discount, But Betis Can Only Afford a Loan

When Antony Matheus dos Santos swapped the grey skies of Manchester for the sun-soaked streets of Seville, few could have predicted what would follow. A player once paralyzed by the weight of a €95 million price tag has now become the beating heart of Real Betis, igniting a fanbase desperate to see him stay.

But while the Brazilian winger has rediscovered his joy and his form in La Liga, a permanent reunion with Betis seems more like a dream than a plan. Manchester United is willing to sell Antony for just €38 million—a staggering 60% markdown from what they paid Ajax in 2022—but even that discounted price tag is well beyond Betis’ financial reach.

This is the story of a footballer reborn, a club inspired, and a looming transfer conundrum that might force all parties to settle for temporary happiness.

From Exile to Embrace: Antony's Rebirth in Seville

Antony's arrival at Betis came at a critical juncture. The team had won just one of its previous nine La Liga matches and had just been demolished 5-1 by Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. The mood around Benito Villamarín was toxic. The fanbase was restless. The season was unraveling.

Enter Antony.

What followed was nothing short of a personal and professional resurrection. With 35 appearances, 9 goals, and 5 assists, Antony didn't just boost stats—he changed the vibe. Alongside the returning Isco, he brought flair, unpredictability, and a sudden sense of danger in the final third.

His highlight moment? A stunning long-range winner against Espanyol that sent the Villamarín into raptures. It wasn’t just a goal—it was a declaration: Antony was back.

And perhaps for the first time in his European career, he looked happy. In a candid interview with TNT Sports, the 25-year-old revealed how bleak things had become at Old Trafford:

“I couldn’t go on. I had lost the love for football. I went days without eating, locked myself in my room.”

The move to Spain has clearly transformed him. As Betis reached the UEFA Conference League final, Antony broke down in tears—not out of pain, but from relief and redemption. The image of him crying on the pitch captured more than just joy—it was the exorcism of two years’ worth of pressure, scrutiny, and mental exhaustion.

Betis Wants to Keep Him—But Can’t Pay the Price

By any sporting logic, the next step seems obvious: Betis should buy him.

Manchester United, for their part, are ready to cut their losses. With financial fair play considerations looming and a need to recalibrate their wage structure, they’re willing to accept €38 million—just enough to maintain amortization balance, as Antony has two years remaining on his contract.

But Betis, despite finishing sixth in La Liga, simply can’t afford it. Missing out on Champions League football means missing out on tens of millions in prize money and broadcasting revenue. According to The Athletic, Betis might be able to shoulder Antony’s wages for another year, but the transfer fee is another matter entirely.

Even the current cut-price valuation of Antony is steep for a club that relies more on creative accounting than mega-wealth. With no outside investors swooping in and no marquee sales on the horizon, €38 million might as well be €100 million in Betis terms.

Their only realistic hope is to extend the loan—a solution that would suit all parties for now but delay the inevitable transfer reckoning.

The Fans Have Spoken: Keep “O Redondo”

For the Betis faithful, the thought of losing Antony so soon is painful. Nicknamed “O Redondo” (The Round One) by adoring fans, the Brazilian has become something of a cult hero. In the final La Liga match of the season, a 1-1 draw with Valencia, Antony found the net once more—and was serenaded by 50,000 fans chanting his name.

The message from the stands was clear: they want him to stay.

Antony has also fallen in love with Seville, a city that matches his rhythm both on and off the pitch. There’s no denying the chemistry between player and place. And sometimes, in football, that chemistry is worth more than money—but money, unfortunately, still decides transfers.

International Redemption: Back with the Seleção

Antony's club resurgence has not gone unnoticed on the international stage. After a long absence from the Brazilian national team, new head coach Carlo Ancelotti has named Antony in his first squad, a symbolic return to the elite level.

It marks a major milestone: two years after his last call-up, Antony will once again wear the canary yellow of Brazil. For a player who nearly walked away from the sport, that’s a dream come true.

This call-up also boosts his market value—ironically complicating Betis’ chances of keeping him. Should he shine in national colors this summer, interest from other clubs will undoubtedly surface, perhaps from wealthier European sides who weren’t watching during his darkest days.

Manchester United’s Dilemma: Cut, Keep, or Loan?

For Manchester United, Antony’s situation is both a problem and an opportunity.

They’ve been publicly embarrassed by his underperformance and the inflated fee they paid. Selling him at a loss—albeit a necessary one—would be an admission of failure. But they also desperately need to trim the squad and refresh their attack. With Jadon Sancho likely departing and other wide options stagnating, United are walking a tightrope.

Do they reintegrate Antony and try again under a new regime? Or do they let go and move on?

A renewed loan to Betis offers a temporary fix—it would keep Antony happy, potentially grow his value, and take his salary off the books for another year. But it's also a roll of the dice, especially if Betis fails to qualify for the Champions League again.

United's football department, now under the microscope of new leadership, must make a decision: stick or twist.

Commentary: A Story of Reclamation and Reinvention

Antony's tale is far more than a transfer saga. It’s a testament to football’s transformative power.

At Manchester United, he became the poster boy for excess, a raw talent buried beneath expectations, memes, and mismanagement. At Betis, he became a man again—an athlete, a performer, a human being.

For Betis, keeping Antony would be a symbol of ambition. For Antony, staying might be the difference between igniting a career or falling back into the shadows. And for Manchester United, deciding his fate could say a lot about the club’s future path—are they ready to admit their mistakes and build smarter?

Antony is not just another winger. He's a footballer who has faced the abyss and fought his way back. Whether Betis can afford him or not, whether United cash in or hold out, his journey stands as a powerful reminder:

Sometimes the most expensive things in football aren’t price tags. They’re peace, purpose, and passion.