Antony breaks silence after Real Betis withdraw transfer bid for Man Utd flop

Antony has broken his silence after his proposed switch from Manchester United to Real Betis collapsed spectacularly. The La Liga outfit released a statement on Friday, pulling out of the deal, despite the Red Devils having reached an agreement on terms.

A £21.6million fee had been settled for the Brazilian winger who enjoyed a loan spell at Betis last season. An additional £2.6m was due in add-ons with United poised to absorb a £60m hit on the former Ajax talent, though the club would have secured 50 per cent of any profit from Betis in a future sale of the 25-year-old. However, complications persisted.

Antony has two years left on his Old Trafford deal and commands a substantial wage packet that he refuses to sacrifice.

Neither Betis nor United were prepared to bridge the financial gap and Antony is understood to be reluctant to forfeit his potential earnings.

Betis issued a statement late Friday announcing: "There is no agreement and we have withdrawn the transfer offer because Real Betis can't afford the transfer fee and the amounts that Manchester United must [instead] pay the player before the transfer."

United bosses suspect the Seville club's position is simply a negotiating ploy.

As for Antony, he appears unfazed by the situation.

Taking to Instagram, the winger shared a story featuring a photo of himself with mates at what looks like a restaurant.

Antony included a reflective message with his post.

"Among family and friends, life always has a big surprise in store for us," he penned. Antony joined the Spanish side on loan during the winter transfer window and shone in his spell with the club.

The Brazil international helped the side to the UEFA Conference League final, where they were beaten by Chelsea, and looked to have made a strong connection to the club.

He returned to Manchester this summer as part of the club's so-called 'bomb squad'. Antony was outcast from first team preparations along with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia.

Rashford has since joined Barcelona on loan while a £40m fee has been agreed with Chelsea for Garnacho. Antony now looks set to join the other two players in uncertainty with just days remaining of the transfer window.