Man Utd set hard line on Antony as Betis bid grows

Manchester United signals a hard line on Antony as Betis push a plan tied to quick decisions and budget discipline.

Man Utd tighten stance on Antony as Betis plan intensifies

Manchester United are close to closing the books on this summer’s business with a clear message to Antony. Several players on the exiled list have already moved or been moved on, including Rashford who left for Barcelona to trim wage costs. Garnacho is also set for a move to Chelsea for a transfer fee, while Jadon Sancho is viewed as a costly asset that has not attracted buyers and Tyrell Malacia has drawn little interest. United say the door is not fully closed to Antony, but any move must align with the club’s spending targets and longer term plans.

Betis have not hidden their strategy either. The Spanish club has signaled a willingness to pursue Antony but only if the numbers add up for both sides. A potential loan to Betis remains on the table, but United are wary of letting the deal become a distraction that ties up funds and cap space they need to reinvest. Betis have publicly floated a range of €30-40 million and appear ready to press for a decision before the window closes. United want a clear path to funding further signings, such as Baleba, and prefer a resolution sooner rather than later.

The move reflects a broader trend in modern football where big clubs balance ambition with sustainability. United are prioritizing clarity over drama, using the Antony situation to test how far they will go to control the wage bill and freedom of movement within the squad. The risk is that a hard line could backfire if Antony remains unsettled or if Betis digs in and the window closes without a sale. Yet the alternative—dragging negotiations into deadline day—could sap the club’s liquidity and damage its market reputation. This episode will test the club’s ability to translate financial discipline into on field results and future leverage.

Highlights

The coming days will reveal how much leverage fear of mispriced assets still holds in a market hungry for value.