Anthony s counterattack path: the transfer triangle mystery between Betis, Manchester United and Leverkusen?

When Anthony walked towards the stands and lifted the jersey, revealing the handwritten slogan to thank Betis fans on the lining: "Here teaches me how to really enjoy football." At this moment, the Brazilian winger's transfer game around him had quietly begun.

Betis' choice: a tug-of-war between sentiment and reality

In the winter window of January 2025, Manchester United loaned Anthony to Betis, and the contract clearly stipulates that if Betis fails to qualify for the European competition next season, Anthony will need to return to Old Trafford unconditionally. During the season, the 24-year-old winger proved his value with his actions - he contributed 9 goals and 5 assists in 26 official games, including 5 goals and 2 assists in 17 La Liga games, and his wing breakthrough success rate increased from 32% during the Manchester United period to 47%. More importantly, he scored a key equalizer against Fiorentina in the European Union semi-finals, directly pushing the team to secure a European spot.

coach Pellegrini admitted at a press conference: "Anthony's arrival has activated our offensive system, but his technical characteristics require more stable tactical support." Club chairman Angel Harrow's abacus was smart: if Anthony was let go, Betis would lose a potential transfer share of 25 million euros, but retaining him would mean bearing the financial pressure brought by his annual salary of 20 million euros - which is equivalent to 12% of the club's annual budget.

Tenhach's temptation: Leverkusen's "smoke bomb" and true intentions

Leverkusen coach Tenhach made a heavy remark at the pre-season press conference: "We need players competent for offense and defense on the right, and Anthony's off-ball run is the weapon we need." This statement was interpreted as a tentative offense in the first round of the summer window, but the details are full of contradictions:

Tactical adaptability is doubtful: After Leverkusen's core right-hand core Flynnon left the team in the new season, Tenhach has some trends in developing youth training young players. Is Anthony adapting to the new system?

Salary structure imbalance: Anthony's annual salary of 20 million euros will account for 25% of the team's salary budget, far exceeding the average health threshold of 15% of the Bundesliga team;

Transfer Fee Reef: Betis's reserve price of 35 million euros is equivalent to 60% of Leverkusen's total transfer expenditure last season, far exceeding the club's summer budget.

People familiar with the matter revealed that Tenghach's remarks were actually showing kindness to the Saudi consortium - Leverkusen's parent company Bayer Group is seeking capital injection in the Middle East, and creating a "superstar effect" is a routine operation to increase stock prices.

Manchester United's dilemma: From "wrong assets" to commercial chips

For Manchester United, Anthony's transfer can be regarded as a "strategic problem":

Fiscal stop loss illusion: If Anthony is let go, Manchester United can recover 35 million euros, and 35 million euros is instant cash flow, but an annual salary of 20 million euros may affect Manchester United's future recruitment flexibility;

Backlash of commercial value: Anthony's social media fans exceeds 80 million, and his endorsement revenue accounts for 10% of Manchester United's Asia-Pacific revenue, and the loss may trigger a chain reaction;

Tactical system reconstruction: The system of the new coach Amorin needs to be frequently inserted in, while Anthony's traditional winger attributes and tactical needs are biased.

Economics of the transfer market: The cruel truth behind the numbers

The essence of this game is a microcosm of the redistribution of professional football resources:

Player value decay curve: Anthony's transfer fee from Manchester United to 95 million euros to Betis becoming a rotation confirms the devastating blow to his value of a decline in competitive state;

Club survival game: Betis needs Anthony's immediate combat power to maintain European qualifications, but cannot bear long-term salary pressure; Leverkusen pursues tactical innovation, but is unwilling to overdraw the future for short-term interests; Manchester United is in the embarrassment of "selling is a pity, and staying is useless."

Market rules dominate: According to statistics from the Transfer Market, the average value of La Liga players in the summer window of 2025 fell by 18% year-on-year, reflecting the impact of the global economic downturn on the football industry.

As Juan Mata, a commentator at Marca, said: "In the last 48 hours of the transfer market, there was no warm farewell, only cold numbers and naked interests."

When Anthony practiced free kicks on the training ground, he might have already understood that every turn on the green field is a repricing of his career.