Antony has starred at Real Betis since joining the club on loan earlier this year but extending his stay is not guaranteed as the La Liga side plan negotiations with Manchester United
A move for Antony will prove ‘very, very complicated’ according to Real Betis chief Angel Haro. The club’s president is already planning a meeting with Manchester United to extend the Brazilian’s stay with the La Liga club but Haro is refusing to get ahead of himself.
Antony has hit the ground running since arriving in the south of Spain on loan from United and proven a key player in Betis’ side. Already the 25-year-old has scored eight goals and added five assists in 21 games for Betis, having scored just 12 times in his entire United spell since his blockbuster move.
The ex-Ajax star looks set to depart Old Trafford once his loan ends having failed to break into Ruben Amorim’s plans this season. While Betis appear a strong, early contender, United are likely to prefer a permanent deal where they can bring in a fee for the star.
And Betis president Haro is well aware the task of securing the player’s signature will not come easily, despite his apparent willingess to contnue at the club. The first task remains to prove persuading to the Red Devils.
“Keeping Antony as our own is very, very complicated,” he said. “We’ll have a meeting with Manchester United to extend the loan for another year, to be able to share a percentage of the player.
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“It’s about seeing the willingness of the player and Manchester United. The first filter is set by Manchester, and then the negotiation of the player would come, but that’s a long way off.
“Besides, the player is now fully engaged, wanting to win a title with Betis. When the time comes and the season ends, he’ll be able to do his part if this option opens up.”
Antony scored to help Real Betis reach the Europa Conference League final and is already on his way to making a mark in the team’s history. The United flop has already attempted to explain why he has settled so well.
“Yes, I’m very happy,” he said. “I found myself. I needed to find myself and be happy.
“My family needed to be happy too. Every day that passes confirms it was the best decision and as you said, I’m enjoying the city and the club every day.
“It [Seville] reminds me a lot of Brazil: the sun, the food, everything. The people are also very warm and happy; that’s important for us who come from Brazil and are used to that. As I’ve said, I’m very happy.
“It’s important to score goals and provide assists but for me what’s most important is sleeping peacefully knowing how I’m doing with myself and being well and happy. Seeing my family smiling is also essential for me; I always talk to my family in Brazil and they are also very happy for me.”
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