Real Betis chief executive Ramon Alarcon has suggested that his club will find it difficult to sign Manchester United attacker Antony on a permanent basis during this summer's transfer window.
Antony made the move to Real Betis on loan from Man United in January, and the Brazilian has been in excellent form for the Seville outfit, scoring seven goals and registering four assists in 20 appearances in all competitions.
The 25-year-old is bidding to help Real Betis qualify for the 2025-26 Champions League, while he is also looking to lead the Seville outfit to European silverware this term, with the team in the semi-finals of the Conference League.
Man United are allegedly planning to sell Antony this summer despite his improved form, with Atletico Madrid the latest club to express an interest in his services.
Real Betis are desperate to keep hold of the attacker beyond the end of the season, but their chief executive has suggested that only another loan deal would be possible due to the finances involved.
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Real Betis 'want to loan Antony' for another season
"Obviously, if someone comes with a very high offer, he's a great player for Manchester [United], and they have the final say," Alarcon told El Desmarque. "But we've always worked with respect.
"Every week, Manu Fajardo, who has done a spectacular job, has sent them the report from the player's week of training, the tactical and physical report from the player's match, and they've seen that we've taken very good care of their asset.
"We also have to value the player's commitment, as he has 20 days left with the team and is like one of the team members. We'll see when summer arrives if there's an option to bring him in for another year.
"If not, we'll have to look for someone else, because the important thing is really to be a team player. If it's not Antony, it will be someone else, but we have to keep competing."
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How much would Antony cost this summer?
Antony's form for Real Betis is excellent news for Man United in terms of the English club's position ahead of the summer transfer market.
Indeed, the Red Devils can now hold firm on what is believed to be a £35m valuation, which certainly seems fair considering how strong the South American has been since arriving in Seville.
Antony has scored four times and registered two assists in 13 La Liga appearances, while he has managed three goals and two assists in seven Conference League fixtures, proving to be absolutely vital for Manuel Pellegrini's side.
The forward's career at Man United has never taken off, though, only managing 12 goals and five assists in 96 appearances, and he is set to leave the Red Devils on a permanent basis this summer, with Real Betis potentially no longer an option.
Matt Law
