Topics: Man Utd, Antony, Brazil, Premier League, Transfers
Antony has knocked back a transfer proposal from Serie A side Como as the Manchester United winger is 'giving priority' to another club this summer.
The 25-year-old, who joined Real Betis on a six-month loan deal in January, registered nine goals and five assists for Manuel Pellegrini’s side as they reached the Conference League final against Chelsea.
A number of clubs have since expressed an interest in signing the Brazilian, including Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen; a team managed by former boss Erik ten Hag.
But the winger prefers a move to Real Betis, according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims Como tried to sign Antony in recent days but the Brazilian winger "is giving priority" to Los Verdiblancos.
Advert
"Man United are also aware of Antony’s preference to continue at Betis next season," added Romano. "No club to club agreement yet."
The news doesn't come as much of a surprise given his blossoming relationship with Betis and their fanbase.
After suffering a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Conference League final, Antony shared an emotional open letter following the end of his loan spell in Seville.
"Today is the day to give thanks for one of the most beautiful chapters of my life," he said in a video on Instagram.
"As I write this page of my story, I need to tell you why you have been —and always will be —so special to me. Since I was a child, football wasn’t just a dream, it was my only chance to change my life.
"Life took me far, from the favela to the world. I left Brazil, played in the Netherlands, played in England, and went from being a boy to becoming a father.
"A lot has changed, but football has always been there, always my safe harbour. Until one day, everything collapsed. From heaven to hell. The ball stopped going in, the joy faded, my world darkened, and I began to doubt myself, my talent, and my passion for the game.’
Antony added: "That’s when football gave me one last gift: Real Betis. When I arrived here, I didn’t know what to expect, but not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine finding what I found.
"From my first step into this club, I felt something different. It was like coming home, like finding a part of myself I thought I had lost.
"With you, I smiled again; with you, I found the kid I once was—the one who loved football with all his heart. With you, football became love again. Thank you Real Betis."
The Brazilian is prepared to take a 30 per cent wage cut to leave United permanently in the summer, according to the Manchester Evening News, who claim the club need to make £32.58 million to avoid a loss on Antony under the Premier League's profitability and sustainability regulations.
He currently earns around £150,000-a-week at Old Trafford.
