Huge Man Utd transfer STALLS as president insists ‘we can’t go crazy!’

Manchester United and Real Betis are struggling to complete a deal for wantaway winger Antony, according to Spanish media.

The Brazilian is coming off a hugely successful loan spell with the Seville club and has made it clear to Man Utd that he would like to return to Andalusia this summer.

The feeling is certainly mutual as Real Betis are desperate to re-sign Antony either via another loan or through a more creative formula such as ‘co-ownership’ of the player.

Indeed, the idea of Betis only acquiring a certain percentage of Antony’s rights has been discussed between the clubs in recent times, but ABC Sevilla now reports that a deal is still not close, despite the optimism emanating from the Estadio Villamarin.

Despite constant contact, the deal hasn’t really progressed in recent weeks as much as all parties had hoped.

Betis need Antony to take a pay cut

Naturally, in an ideal world, Man Utd would have preferred to have wrapped up the departure of Antony by now as the 25-year-old has no future at the club and is pocketing a handsome wage, while they also need to raise funds for incomings.

However, it is precisely this wage that is creating a problem. Betis have made it clear to the winger that he needs to take a pay cut as they can’t afford to break the bank on him.

“We’re working on it,” Betis president Angel Haro has confirmed. “It won’t be easy. They paid a lot for him. He has two years left [on his contract]. We’re talking to him.

“He has to lower his salary to come because we have our financial rigour. We can’t go crazy. We’re working on it. He loves Betis, but he also looks out for his own interests.”

So far, there is also no agreement between Betis and Man Utd on the financial conditions of his transfer, so there is still some way to go before Antony leaves Old Trafford for good.

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