Antony has revitalised his career at Real Betis since joining on a temporary basis from Manchester United.
The winger has recovered from desperately poor form, personal issues and a police investigation to play a starring role in La Liga and the UEFA Conference League under Manuel Pellegrini. He even earned a recall to the Brazil squad under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
His efforts could see him end 2024/25 lifting a trophy with the Spanish side, who face Chelsea in the Conference League final in Wroclaw on Wednesday. His future after this week, however, is far from clear.
Here’s what we know about Antony’s next move and where he might be playing next season.
MORE: The crazy transfer fee United paid for Antony | Ranking the Brazilians to play for Man U
Is Antony going back to Man United?
Antony signed for Real Betis on a straight loan deal in January until the end of the 2024/25 season. The La Liga side do not have the option to make the move permanent, so Antony will return to United once Betis’ campaign concludes after the Conference League final.
Although he will be going back to England at least temporarily, it seems highly unlikely that Antony will be a United player in the 2025/26 season. He went through an unhappy time at Old Trafford after his promising first season and does not fit with Ruben Amorim’s system, so a permanent exit is the best solution for all parties.
Antony next club
The question of where Antony goes next is harder to answer.
Betis would certainly like him back (they’ve even admitted as much), but even with Europa League qualification for next season secured, they are unlikely to have the finances to pay his transfer fee and wages even if Antony accepts a reduction on his estimated £200,000 ($270,000) weekly United terms.
BBC chief football reporter Simon Stone said United will hope to sell Antony for at least £32.5 million ($43.8m) so that, in terms of the amortisation of his original transfer fee — the spreading-out of the cost over the duration of his contract — the club will not make a loss on him. Six months ago, the idea of anyone paying that sort of amount for Antony was nonsensical, but his performances for Betis will have driven up both interest levels and his price tag.
It remains likely that, if United are to recoup the money they want and Antony is to get both the salary and playing level that he wants, a Champions League club will need to make an offer.
Antony stats at Real Betis
Antony has thrived at Betis since putting his troubled time in England behind him.
He has nine goals and five assists in 25 games in all competitions for the Andalusian club. That’s an impressive return considering he only got 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances for United.
MORE: Most goals scored in Premier League history
