"Last season he arrived on a six-month loan and changed everything, leading them to a European place, a derby win that was celebrated like it was the World Cup, and a European final. He had been changed too, happy again, the footballer he was supposed to be. This was his place, somewhere they loved him. He had wanted to come back the moment he left and they had been desperate for him to return. That, though, wasn't easy."
"Here was a 100m (86m) footballer and Betis just didn't have that type of money. Manchester United wanted to sell but Betis couldn't compete in this market. They talked about formulas, creative ways of making it happen. Isco had said they should kidnap him; Joaquin, the former winger who is now a director, said he would drive the getaway car. Sporting director, Manu Fajardo, put together packages, investigating every possibility, offering everything he could. The advantage they had was Antony himself."
Real Betis completed a permanent transfer for Antony Matheus dos Santos on deadline day, signing him to a five-year contract for 22m from Manchester United. Antony had previously joined Betis on a six-month loan and had revitalized both his form and the team's fortunes, helping them reach Europe, win the derby, and reach a European final. Betis faced significant financial constraints and explored creative arrangements to afford the transfer, with club staff and former players joking about extreme measures. Antony spent the summer training alone and waited patiently, emotionally invested in returning to Triana. The deal represented risk and determination by the club.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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