Real Betis could pay Man United double ‘bonus’ after £500,000 fee missed
Real Betis could yet have to pay a pair of bonuses to Manchester United for Antony’s loan deal despite avoiding a £500,000 fee.
Betis signed winger Antony on loan from Man United for the remainder of the season in January, with the Spanish side covering a minimum of 84 per cent of his salary. [Sky Sports]
The Brazilian made a fine start to life at the club, having scored two goals and provided one assist in his first three matches.
Man United will not receive a loan fee for Antony, with him now making 15 appearances for Betis. However they could be forced to pay out still if they reach next year’s Champions League or win the Conference League.
Manuel Pellegrini‘s side are sixth in La Liga, nine points adrift of the four qualification places with seven matches left, and hold a two-goal advantage over Jagiellonia Białystok, the Polish team, in the Conference League quarter-finals.
Real Betis could pay Man United a bonus for Champions League qualification
According to The Times, Real Betis have ensured that they will not have to pay a loan fee to United for Antony after he made his 15th appearance for the club in their 2-1 loss to Villarreal on Sunday.
When the 25-year-old Brazil winger joined Betis on a six-month loan in February, a clause was inserted into the contract that entitled United to a fee of about £500,000 if he did not play 15 matches for the Spanish club.
The clause existed because United thought that the less that Antony played, the less exposure he would get, which would subsequently lower his transfer value.
Betis are willing to loan Antony for another season. United would prefer to sell the winger, who has two years left on his contract, but each offer will reportedly be assessed on merit.
Betis are at present covering 84 per cent of Antony’s wages and will have to pay a “bonus” to United if they qualify for the Champions League or win the Conference League.
| Antony stats for Real Betis |
| Games – 15 |
| Goals – 4 |
| Asissts – 4 |
Antony’s future lies away from Man United
Football Insider Verdict
With Betis’ preference to keep Antony on loan for another season it remains to be seen whether that is something that Ruben Amorim would be open to.
It does look certain, however, that the wingers future lies away from Manchester with a huge summer of up to eight first-team players being tipped to leave.
Antony has been given a new lease of life in Spain, with perhaps less physical demands playing a positive role in rediscovering his form.
He needs to be in an environment which gives him the freedom to make mistakes and develop as a player at only 25-year-old.
That place feels like Betis, however with them unlikely to pay the full asking price, Man United may have to explore other options for a sale.