Manchester United are making progress in talks over winger Antony’s proposed loan move to Real Betis.
The Brazil international, 24, is yet to start a Premier League game this season and has made only seven substitute appearances in the competition.
Negotiations are taking place over a move that would see the former Ajax player spend the second half of the campaign in La Liga.
Other clubs are also in the market for Antony, who has been made available with United looking to raise funds for signings, with Olympiacos registering an interest. But Betis are described as most advanced at this stage.
Betis, coached by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, are currently 11th in the table and looking for a right-sided attacking player having sold Assane Diao to Como.
Although not among United’s top earners, the offloading of even part of Antony’s salary could in turn allow the club to press on with incoming transfer business of their own with head coach Ruben Amorim keen for reinforcements this month.
Antony joined United from Ajax in September 2022 in a €100million (£84m, $102m) transfer.
He has gone on to score 12 goals in 95 matches in total with his only start this term coming in the Europa League league phase came against Bodo-Glimt.
He came off the bench against Southampton on Thursday and missed an open goal, but Amorim praised his overall contribution as United won 3-1 after trailing.
Antony’s contract at Old Trafford runs through until 2027, with the option of a further year.
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Analysis by Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell
Antony was sent on at half-time of United’s latest match against Southampton with his team 1-0 down, the first substitution in a game Amorim had to win. Antony even took the No 10 spot, rather than going to wing-back with Amad pushing on.
If that was a sign of Amorim having faith in the Brazilian to change the game, then he was unable to capitalise with a goal after being teed up perfectly by Alejandro Garnacho.
The miss encapsulated his time at United and that is why he has been made available for an exit. Finding a permanent buyer given his place on the fringes of United’s team was always going to be difficult, but a loan would provide the chance for him to get regular minutes and perhaps make him a more appealing target in the summer.
Clawing back some of his salary would allow United to reinvest in a signing more suitable to Amorim’s system and methods. The United head coach would want a replacement if Antony departs.
(Michael Regan/Getty Images)
