Antony to Real Betis latest, final meeting takes place, star set to travel to Spain

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Manchester United are now deep into the January transfer window and despite talk of moves, not a single first team player has arrived, or left.

This is now set to change, with all the details agreed for one underperforming star set to leave.

This week Rio Ferdinand issued a ‘get them out’ call to players looking to leave, and one of the ones he was referring to was Brazilian winger Antony.

Antony is now closing in on an exit to Spanish side Real Betis, with final details agreed.

• READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date

Antony latest

Earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano reported there was a ‘verbal agreement’ between clubs, agents and players for Antony to sign with Real Betis.

He outlined that Antony would fly out to undergo a medical once the formalities and paper work had all be signed off.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, the final details have now all been agreed.

AS report Antony’s arrival in Spain is now ‘hours away’, after a successful meeting in Seville.

Betis’ sporting directors met with Antony’s agents, and gave them a tour of the club facilities ahead of the player’s arrival.

The talks were also attended by Betis legend Joaquin, who actually played against Antony in the Europa League when the side took on Manchester United in March 2023.

Antony scored an excellent curling goal in United’s 4-1 win at Old Trafford, which has turned out to be his last goal in European competition for the club.

The report notes: “This formal meeting was the last step before Antony is given the green light to travel to Seville and sign his loan with Betis until the end of the season.”

Betis are keen to conclude the deal promptly as they are still trying to get deals done for players in other positions.

Antony set for straight loan

Antony will leave Manchester United on a straight loan deal, with no option or obligation to buy.

The move is designed from United’s perspective to put Antony in the shop window for other bigger clubs to want to sign him in the summer.

There is a recognition at United that he has underperformed, and while he was clearly overvalued by United, he is a better player than he has shown over the past year.

Part of the problem is Antony has not had regular game time, and he has lost confidence, and this loan is a reset for him, before his situation is re-evaluated in the summer.