 "'We can't afford the transfer fee': Manchester United star's transfer to Real Betis off after fee dispute")
There is a lot of confusion around Antony’s transfer from Manchester United to Real Betis with just two days remaining before the summer window closes. Earlier, reports claimed United had accepted an offer from the Spanish club, but Betis later said they had pulled out of the deal.
Antony spent the second half of last season on loan at Betis and did well for the side, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 26 matches across competitions. He also helped Betis finish sixth in La Liga and reach the Conference League final. This is why the 25-year-old wanted to return to Betis this summer.
However, the transfer talks between the two clubs dragged on for weeks without agreement on the fee. Antony was also one of four players removed from Manchester United’s main squad by head coach Ruben Amorim and made to train separately.
On Friday, reports claimed the permanent transfer deal was done between United and Betis and Antony was set to travel for his medical to Spain. However, Betis released a statement saying they had withdrawn their offer, explaining that they could not afford the transfer fee or Antony’s salary.
“There is no agreement and we have withdrawn the transfer offer because Real Betis can’t afford the transfer fee and the amounts that Manchester United must [instead] pay the player before the transfer,” Betis said in their statement.
Betis and United have reportedly been talking for the past few weeks over Antony’s transfer. They had agreed to a transfer package worth $29 million (Rs 255 crore). However, Betis were forced to pull out of the deal citing massive cost attached to Antony’s United contract, including the exit fee.
Apart from Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tyrell Malacia have also been sidelined from the first team, with Amorim looking for possible destinations for them. Marcus Rashford has already joined Barcelona on loan. Amorim has said that if the club fails to find suitors for these players, he will reintroduce them into the main squad.
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