Football club Manchester United ponders over the possibility of selling a 50% stake in player Antony through an unusual joint ownership arrangement, according to media reports.

Manchester United and Antony's Unconventional Transfer to Real Betis

Manchester United are in the process of negotiating an unusual transfer deal for their Brazilian winger, Antony. The deal, which is not a full transfer fee, has been met with some reservations at Old Trafford due to the club's financial situation.

The arrival of Ruben Amorim as Manchester United's head coach signalled the beginning of the end for Antony at the club. The winger, who joined United for a record £86m from Ajax in 2022, has struggled to find his form in the Premier League. His loan move to Real Betis for the second half of the season was a result of this.

During his time at Real Betis, Antony has registered an impressive nine goals and five assists in all competitions. This form has not gone unnoticed by the Spanish club, who are now looking to make the loan move permanent.

Real Betis have offered around €20m for 50% of Antony's rights, effectively making them a co-owner of the player. This deal structure is common in Europe but less so in English football. The agreement between Real Betis and Manchester United would give United a 50% sell-on clause on Antony.

The deal may not bring a large sum of money to Manchester United, but it could help them move forward from a problematic recruitment situation. Antony has made 96 appearances and has been involved in 17 goals for Manchester United, but his high wages and lack of consistency have been a concern.

The Red Devils were never likely to be the winners in any Antony deal following their overpayment to Ajax. The club has been trying to balance its books after a summer of heavy investment. The £39m asking price for Antony set by Manchester United is in line with Transfermarkt's valuation of €35m.

Antony himself is keen on the move to Real Betis and is willing to take a pay cut to make it happen. Club captain Isco of Real Betis has even suggested crowdfunding Antony's permanent transfer.

The deal could potentially see Real Betis become a co-owner of Antony, as they have offered around €20m for 50% of his rights. Diario de Sevilla reports that Real Betis have offered a unique deal for Antony, offering money for 50% of his rights instead of the full transfer fee.

It is likely that Real Betis will be Manchester United's best buyer for Antony, given his impressive performance during his short-term loan spell. The deal may be beneficial for Manchester United as it could help them close a troubled chapter in their recruitment and reduce Antony's wages from their books.

This transfer saga is a reminder of the financial complexities in modern football and the need for clubs to find innovative solutions to balance their books. As the negotiations continue, both Manchester United and Real Betis will be hoping to reach a deal that benefits both parties.

Football club Manchester United ponders over the possibility of selling a 50% stake in player Antony through an unusual joint ownership arrangement, according to media reports.