Confusion surrounds Antony’s proposed move from Manchester United to Real Betis, with the Spanish club saying they have withdrawn their offer after United sources said the Old Trafford outfit had accepted it.
United and Betis have been haggling over a deal for most of the summer, but there had been no agreement over a fee for the 25-year-old winger.
Antony had a productive loan spell with the La Liga side over the second half of last season, scoring nine goals and helping Manuel Pellegrini’s side finish sixth and reach the Uefa Conference League final.
He was one of five players exiled by United head coach Ruben Amorim at the start of pre-season training and forced to use the club’s Carrington training facilities at different times to the main group.
There have been links to other clubs, including some in the Saudi Pro League, but it has been clear Antony preferred a return to Betis.
Conversations have been ongoing for a number of days in an effort to break the impasse.
By Friday evening, multiple sources at United said a bid had been accepted and the terms of a permanent transfer agreed to an extent that would allow the Brazil winger to fly to Spain and conclude his medical.
Betis sources questioned this version of events before the club later released a formal statement saying: “Betis has retired its offer. Betis cannot afford a transfer fee, nor the amounts the player is supposed to receive.”
There are unverified suggestions one of the stumbling blocks relates to a payment to Antony around his outstanding wages on a United contract that runs to 2027.
It is not known at this stage whether further talks will take place in an effort to resolve the situation, nor whether Betis would be willing to make a fresh bid.
Although the English transfer window closes at 19:00 BST on Monday, in Spain it remains open until 22:59 BST the same day.
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