Antony has enjoyed an upturn in form since moving to Real Betis on loan from Manchester United in January, but the La Liga side faces a challenge to sign the winger permanently.
After failing to make a single Premier League start under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim this season, Antony left Manchester United for Real Betis on loan in January.
The 25-year-old, who was the subject of heavy criticism after his £81m transfer to United in 2023, never reached the levels expected of him at Old Trafford.
However, that has not stopped Antony from thriving in La Liga.
Antony has scored five goals and registered two assists in 17 matches across all competitions for Real Betis, giving the Spanish side hope of qualifying for the Champions League.
Real Betis are currently sixth in La Liga, with six points separating them from fourth-placed Athletic Club, who United will face in the Europa League semi-finals this week.
New rule complications Antony to Real Betis transfer
A new rule could prevent Real Betis from signing Antony on a permanent deal this summer, even though it is understood that the Spanish side hopes to retain Antony when his temporary deal ends.
The new ruling in question stops clubs from spreading transfer fees over several years, which is a method previously used by Real Betis to sign new players.
One example includes French star Nabil Fekir, who joined Real Betis from Lyon in 2019. It was agreed between the two clubs that the fee would be paid to the Ligue 1 outfit over seven years.
Real Betis will find it challenging to afford to sign Antony in the summer, with United looking to recoup some of the £81m they initially paid for the winger.
Antony will be focused on finishing the 2024/25 season strongly as Real Betis hope to secure a Champions League spot, but the club are not hiding the fact they want to sign the Brazil international.
Real Betis chief addresses Antony future
Antony is one of the players Ineos hope to sell at United this summer.
Real Betis paid a £1m fee for the temporary deal as they agreed to cover part of his wages.
Despite the hurdles getting in the way of a transfer, Real Betis chief Manu Fajardo has made a promise that the club were committed to finding a way to retain Antony.
Fajardo said (via The Mirror): “It is a source of satisfaction on a personal level [to have brought Antony to Real Betis], but it is the result of teamwork.
“Although I am responsible for the sporting management, there are many people involved in this signing. It’s still early, but we will try in different ways to do everything possible to continue enjoying Antony.”
It is clear from Fajardo’s comments that Antony has made an impression at Real Betis and they won’t want to lose him.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
