Antony transfer update

Manchester United set an ultimatum demanding a permanent exit for Antony or he will be sidelined until January.

Man Utd issue ultimatum to Antony ahead of summer transfer deadline

Manchester United have told Antony he must secure a permanent move before the transfer deadline or be left out of first-team plans until January. Betis are keen to sign the winger after his successful loan last season, but prefer a season-long loan with an option or obligation to buy at the end of 2025/26. United paid £82m to sign Antony in 2020 and now face a possible loss unless a deal is completed.

Several clubs have shown interest in Antony, including Brighton, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig, with Benfica also exploring a temporary move. Betis want to test a loan with a future purchase, while United push to end the saga before the deadline to avoid a long issue into autumn. Antony has trained away from United’s pre-season squad and remains under contract at Old Trafford until 2027, with Betis hoping to ensure the move fits their financial limits and squad balance.

This is a study in how big clubs squeeze value from an aging asset. United face a potential large write-off if Antony leaves for a lower fee than invested, while Betis risks paying a premium later if a loan becomes permanent. The World Cup in 2026 adds urgency for both sides as timing could affect the player’s form and market value. The market also shows a clear pattern: many clubs monitor, a few may bid, and the final hours of the window tend to decide whether a deal happens at all.

Highlights

The transfer window will keep testing how clubs value risk and timing in the market.