Manchester United have finally cut their losses on Antony, with the club agreeing a deal with Real Betis that sees the Brazilian winger leave Old Trafford for just £21.6million.
That fee is a fraction of the £86m the club originally paid to sign him from Ajax three years ago.
Negotiations with Betis appeared to collapse on Friday after talks stalled over the structure of the deal, particularly concerning severance payments and the player’s wages.
However, a compromise was struck on deadline day, allowing the 25-year-old to seal a permanent return to Spain.
Manchester United have finally cut their losses on Antony, with the club agreeing a deal with Real Betis that sees the Brazilian winger leave Old Trafford for just £21.6million
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The agreement will see United receive £19.6m upfront, with an additional £2m due in performance-related bonuses.
Crucially, the deal also includes a hefty 50 per cent sell-on clause, ensuring United would benefit significantly from any future transfer.
No pay-off has been made to Antony, who is expected in Seville for a medical.
Antony spent last season on loan at Betis and impressed under Manuel Pellegrini, scoring nine goals in 26 appearances.
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His performances and popularity with fans in Seville made him a priority signing for the La Liga side, who bided their time until the final hours of the window to complete the move.
For United, however, the transfer represents one of the most expensive missteps in recent history.
Signed at the insistence of then-manager Erik ten Hag in 2022, Antony arrived from Ajax with a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young attackers.
But his United career never truly ignited. Across three seasons, he managed just 12 goals in 96 appearances and often looked short of confidence, consistency, and the physicality required for the Premier League.
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Antony struggled during his time at Man United, having joined from Ajax with lofty expectations back in 2022
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Antony’s exit is part of a wider late-window shake-up at Old Trafford, with more high-profile departures potentially on the horizon.
Jadon Sancho is increasingly being linked with Aston Villa, who are considering a move for the England international after his turbulent spell in Manchester.
Unai Emery is believed to see Sancho as a player capable of adding creativity and depth to a side preparing for another European campaign.
Villa’s hierarchy are exploring both a permanent deal and an initial loan with an option to buy.
Meanwhile, striker Rasmus Hojlund could also be heading for the exit door.
Napoli are in advanced talks to bring in the Danish forward.
Reports in Italy suggest the Serie A champions see Hojlund as the ideal replacement to lead their attack and are confident of agreeing terms before the window closes.
For United, the departures mark a significant shift as Ruben Amorim continues reshaping the squad he inherited after Ten Hag’s sacking.
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Antony enjoyed a positive loan spell at Real Betis last season
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Offloading high-earning players who have failed to deliver will provide room to maneuver financially, particularly after another summer of heavy spending.
United are expected to bring in goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who now seems to be their No 1 target amid the struggles of Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana.