Spanish club make Antony transfer enquiry but demand merciless clause is included – Man United don’t have a leg to stand on

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Manchester United are shaping up to be one of the busiest teams during the January transfer window. The English giants could sanction multiple high-profile sales.

Desperate to comply with the Premier League’s rules on Profit and Sustainability, United’s owners hope to bring in some much-needed funds.

AC Milan has shown interest in Marcus Rashford — arguably United’s most high-profile player currently available for transfer.

However, there could also be transfers for Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho due to their value and homegrown status.

And although nearly all of United’s first-team are up for sale, one player in particular looks likely to move on to reignite his career.

La Liga club contact Man United over possible Antony transfer

Antony has struggled since he was signed by former manager Erik Ten Hag in the summer of 2022.

Arriving at Old Trafford with a huge £86 million price tag, the Brazilian, who has managed just 12 goals in nearly 100 appearances, has crumbled under the pressure and failed to live up to expectations.

Consequently, according to talkSPORT, United’s number 21 has emerged as a mid-season transfer target for La Liga side Real Betis.

The Spanish club have made contact with the Red Devils over a possible deal but will only back their interest up on one strict condition.

Financial clause crucial to Antony transfer

Despite being interested in bringing Antony to Spain on loan for the second half of the season, Real Betis will not make an offer without United agreeing to cover the majority of the 24-year-old’s wages.

Antony is among United’s highest earners on £200,000-a-week. The South American’s nearly £1 million monthly salary is too expensive for Manuel Pellegrini’s side so a compromise must be made before a deal can be struck.

According to Capology, Isco is the Spaniard’s highest earner but the former Real Madrid star still earns half what Antony does at Old Trafford.

Given the Spanish side’s salary budget, it is understandable why United are being asked to contribute over half of Antony’s eye-watering weekly wages.

The Red Devils really can’t complain about the position they now find themselves in. Their foolish decision to award such a ridiculously large contract to a player who hadn’t proved himself has come back to bite them.

Undoing this kind of undeserving contract is top of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s to-do list but reversing years of poor decisions will take time, so fans must be patient.

Although Antony’s proposed move to Real Betis won’t free up a huge amount of funds, the good news is that it would see Ratcliffe move one step closer to correctly past mistakes.