Antony has been linked with a move to Real Betis. (Image: Getty)
winger is on the brink of leaving the club for Real Betis this month.
Following a turbulent two-and-a-half-years at Old Trafford, where the Brazilian has failed to live up to expectations since his £85million move from Ajax, the 24-year-old has failed to break back into the side under .
A second-half cameo in Thursday’s win over Southampton only raised more doubts about his future, as the forward contrived to miss an open goal from six yards out.
After initially being linked with a January switch to Olympiacos, it now seems that Spain will be the destination for the Sao Paulo product.
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According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Betis are now closing in on a deal to take him on loan for the rest of the season. The final details are seemingly still being negotiated, although the agreement isn’t thought to contain an obligation to buy.
Antony is reportedly keen on a move to La Liga in a bid to get more game time and find his form. Despite his £200,000-a-week wages being a potential stumbling block, his parent club are expected to cover a large part of his salary.
In his press conference ahead of today’s game with , Amorim was coy on whether he was looking to offload Antony. He also defended his player’s performance against Southampton, and explained why he was seen talking at length with him before he was sent on as a substitute.
The winger rose to prominence at Ajax. (Image: Getty)
“Like I said, I want to keep my players. I’m focused on this, these players. I don’t know what is going to happen,” he said. “This window, we’ll see, but he did a good job.
“I came out before the team because I had Antony out and I wanted to explain the situation of Antony, what I need from Antony, to go inside of the pitch. That was the only reason.”
The forward has made just 13 club appearances this season, with his starts mostly confined to the Europa League. He’s scored just once, in an tie against Barnsley.
Despite a bright start to life in England, Antony has come in for severe criticism for both his performances and behaviour at United. He’s also lost his place in the Brazil national squad.
He was signed by after playing under him for three years at Ajax. In the Netherlands, he scored 25 goals in 82 appearances, a significantly better record than his 12 strikes in 95 games at United.