Atlético Madrid Offers €40M for Antony, But Player Prefers Real Betis

Manchester United forward awaits Real Betis move despite firm interest from Atlético

Atlético Madrid have agreed to pay €40 million to sign Antony from Manchester United, but the Brazilian winger has no intention of joining Diego Simeone’s side, preferring instead a return to Real Betis, where he played on loan last season.

Antony prioritizes Betis return

Antony, 25, enjoyed a positive spell under Manuel Pellegrini at Real Betis and has made it clear that his priority is to return to Seville. According to Sport The i Paper, the Brazilian believes Betis offers the right environment and continuity for his career.

However, Real Betis have struggled to meet Manchester United’s asking price, which stands at €40 million. The Spanish club has limited financial resources and is currently unable to match Atlético’s formal offer.

Atlético sees opportunity amid Betis’ financial constraints

While the player’s preference complicates negotiations, Atlético Madrid is hopeful. Club officials believe that Betis’ financial difficulties could eventually force Antony to reconsider. The Madrid side is prepared to invest heavily after failing to sign Lookman, who is now expected to join Inter Milan.

Antony’s standout performances last season in La Liga caught the attention of Atlético’s technical staff, and he has since become a priority target for Simeone’s squad revamp.

Juventus and Bayern remain attentive

In addition to the two Spanish clubs, Juventus and Bayern Munich are monitoring Antony’s situation. While neither has submitted a bid yet, they are reportedly interested if a deal with Spanish sides falls through.

At Bayern, Antony could be seen as a potential alternative to Luis Díaz, while Juventus continue to assess attacking reinforcements for the new season.

United seeks swift exit for costly signing

Manchester United, which paid €95 million to Ajax for Antony’s signing in 2022, is keen to complete his departure this window to avoid further financial loss. While they recognize the likelihood of selling at a loss, United hopes a bidding war could help offset part of the investment.

As the summer transfer window continues, the pressure is mounting on all sides with Atlético Madrid making the strongest financial move, but still needing to win over the player himself.