Real Betis are so desperate to keep Manchester United’s Antony that their hopes rely on a feat not achieved in two decades.
The winger, who cost the Red Devils £81million, was a certified flop at Old Trafford, but is now flying in Seville.
With four goals and five assists in 12 games since moving to LaLiga in January, Antony played his part in a 2-1 win over city rivals Sevilla at the weekend in what many consider Spain’s fiercest rivalry.
Speaking post-match, Betis talisman Isco was asked about keeping Antony and said: “We have to do one of those crowdfunding campaigns to see if we can bring him in for at least another year.”
Defender Marc Bartra has now backed that up even further before taking on old side Barcelona, adding: “Among my teammates, we’re willing to do whatever’s best for the team, let’s go.
“Antony’s doing very well, and Betis has been giving him incredible affection and love from day one.”
However, manager Manuel Pellegrini has a slightly more orthodox but perhaps as audacious method for keeping the Brazilian around – increasing the club’s funds.
”We’ve all seen what Antony has done here with the team, and I hope he can stay, although we know it won’t be easy,” the former Manchester City manager began.
“He’s fitted in very well with the team’s collective play and has had important individual performances.
“I think the important thing now for Antony and everyone else is to focus on winning the next three points and trying to achieve a bigger goal, which of course would perhaps change the club’s financial situation, playing in the Champions League or reaching higher levels in European competitions.
“And based on that reality, we’ll then see what the best squad is to face next season.”
Given Betis’ current trajectory, a top four berth and Champions League football is certainly a possibility, as they’re LaLiga’s form team with six wins on the bounce.
That has them sixth ahead of facing leaders Barcelona, six points from fourth, although LaLiga could still earn an extra berth for next season’s competition.
Qualification for Europe’s top tier would be Betis’ first in 20 years when they faced Liverpool and Chelsea in the 2005/06 group stages.
But upsetting the odds in Europe is nothing new for Pellegrini, as the 2014 Premier League winner has already taken unfancied sides Villarreal and Malaga to the Champions League, making the semi-finals with the former, and quarter-finals with the latter.
He also had the backing of club vice president Jose Miguel Lopez Catalan, who was the brains behind bringing in former Ajax man Antony from his United hell.
“It wasn’t easy to bring Antony in and it won’t be easy to keep him,” the executive said.
“I think it was harder to bring him in than it is to try to keep him now because he’s already familiar with Betis.
“It hasn’t been easy, like bringing in players like [Giovani] Lo Celso, [Nabil] Fekir, or players of that level.
“When that river comes, we’ll cross it. It depends a lot on what the player wants, the relationship with the other club, and who comes for him, because there are projects we can’t compete with.
“We have the ambition to have these players, world-class stars, but we also can’t do crazy things. We’re going to try.”
Antony on his part has continued to explain that being happy has improved his form, saying after the derby win: “What I’m most happy about is having found myself.
“I found myself here. I’m enjoying the city and the club every day.”
