The future of attacker Antony, trained in São Paulo’s youth categories, is uncertain in the European market, and the Paulista club closely monitors the movements that could yield a significant financial windfall. Two clubs from Saudi Arabia, linked to the powerful Public Investment Fund (PIF), have shown interest in the player, who is not part of Manchester United’s plans for the 2025/26 season. The possible transfer, still without an official proposal, could guarantee Tricolor up to 5% of the negotiated value, thanks to Fifa’s solidarity mechanism, which benefits training clubs. The negotiation is seen as an opportunity to alleviate São Paulo’s finances, which face a debt of R$ 968.2 million. Antony, who shone at Real Betis last season, prefers to stay in Europe, but the financial power of the Saudis could change the course of his career. The outcome is eagerly awaited by the Brazilian club, which has already exceeded fundraising targets in 2025.
The interest from Saudi clubs in Antony reignites São Paulo’s hope for a significant financial boost. The player, who left the club in 2020 heading to Ajax for 29 million euros, has his situation monitored due to the potential profit from a new transfer. The last season at Real Betis, where he scored nine goals and provided five assists in 26 games, raised his market value, estimated at 35 million euros.
- Benefits for São Paulo: Up to 5% of the transfer value, according to Fifa’s mechanism.
- Interested clubs: Two Saudi Arabian teams, controlled by PIF, are in the race.
- Player’s preference: Antony wants to continue in Europe, but does not rule out Saudi Arabia.
Antony’s situation reflects a strategic moment for São Paulo, which seeks to balance its finances while observing the international market.
Saudi interest and financial impact
The Saudi Arabian market has established itself as an attractive destination for players seeking new opportunities, and Antony is on the radar of clubs like Al-Nassr, which has already made an initial proposal, according to sources close to the negotiations. The offer, however, did not reach the 50 million pounds (about R$ 376 million) demanded by Manchester United, which seeks to recover part of the 86 million pounds investment made in 2022. Tricolor, in turn, does not participate directly in the talks, but can profit from any outcome involving a definitive transfer.
The possibility of a financial windfall is especially relevant for São Paulo, which ended the 2024 season with a deficit of R$ 287.6 million. Fifa’s solidarity mechanism ensures that training clubs receive a percentage on international transfers of their former athletes. In Antony’s case, this represents an opportunity for revenue without additional costs.
- Estimated value: A 35 million euro transfer would yield about 1.75 million euros to São Paulo.
- Recent history: The club has already profited R$ 600 thousand from Emerson Royal’s transfer to Flamengo.
- Financial strategy: The R$ 155 million negotiation target for 2025 has already been surpassed.
- Other monitored players: Athletes like Helinho and Igor Gomes are also observed.
The movement in the Saudi market, driven by PIF, suggests that new proposals may emerge, increasing the chances of profit for Tricolor.
🚨 Al Nassr have sent a bid to Manchester United for Antony. 🇸🇦
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 27, 2025
(Source: @Santi_J_FM) pic.twitter.com/k2U8PNpSqH
Antony’s trajectory in European football
Antony left São Paulo in 2020, after standing out in the youth and debuting professionally in 2018. His time at Ajax was marked by two Eredivisie titles and a Dutch Cup, which led him to Manchester United for a record value for a Dutch league player. However, his trajectory in England was irregular, with only 12 goals in 96 games, which generated criticism and loss of space in the squad.
In 2025, the loan to Real Betis marked a turnaround in his career. Under Manuel Pellegrini’s command, Antony regained confidence, contributing directly to the club’s historic campaign in the Conference League. His preference for staying in Europe, especially at Betis, is an obstacle for Saudi clubs, but the financial power of the Middle East could be decisive.
- Ajax stint: 82 games, 25 goals and 21 assists between 2020 and 2022.
- Manchester United performance: 12 goals in 96 matches, below expectations.
- Resurgence at Betis: 9 goals and 5 assists in 26 games in the 2024/25 season.
- Brazilian national team: Return to call-up in 2025, after two years of absence.
Antony’s recent performance has reignited interest from European clubs, such as Atlético de Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, but Betis’s financial limitations hinder a permanent transfer.
Fifa solidarity mechanism
Fifa’s solidarity mechanism is one of the pillars supporting São Paulo’s expectation for profits with Antony. It ensures that training clubs receive from 0.25% to 0.5% of the value of international transfers for each year the player was registered between ages 12 and 23. As Antony spent a decade in Tricolor’s youth, the club is entitled to a significant share of any negotiation.
This rule has already yielded fruits to São Paulo on other occasions. In addition to Emerson Royal’s case, the club also profited from transfers of players like David Neres and Militão. The strategy of monitoring former athletes trained in Cotia is part of the financial planning to reduce the deficit and invest in the squad.
- Fifa rules: 5% of the transfer value is divided among training clubs.
- Considered period: From 12 to 23 years of the player’s age.
- Financial impact: Revenue without operational costs for São Paulo.
- Other beneficiaries: Clubs like Ajax may also receive a share.
The mechanism reinforces the importance of investing in youth categories, even in times of financial crisis.
Antony’s preferences and the future
Despite Saudi interest, Antony has publicly expressed his desire to remain at Real Betis, where he found happiness and regained the pleasure of playing football. In an emotional message on social media, the player thanked the Spanish club for “bringing him back to football.” However, Betis faces difficulties in affording the 35 million euros demanded by Manchester United, which opens space for more robust proposals from clubs like Al-Nassr.
Antony’s decision is also influenced by the proximity of the 2026 World Cup. Playing in a competitive league like the Spanish one increases his chances of maintaining a spot in the Brazilian national team, while a move to Saudi Arabia could reduce his visibility.
- Player’s priority: Stay at Real Betis or another European club.
- Financial obstacles: Betis proposes new loan or co-ownership.
- European interest: Atlético de Madrid, Juventus and Real Sociedad monitor the situation.
- Risk for the national team: Saudi league may compromise chances in the 2026 Cup.
The outcome of the negotiation will depend on the balance between Antony’s wishes and Manchester United’s financial demands.
São Paulo’s finances and the market
São Paulo’s financial situation requires creative strategies to maintain competitiveness. In addition to direct sales, such as those of Pablo Maia and Beraldo, the club has benefited from indirect revenues, like those generated by the solidarity mechanism. The 2025 season has already exceeded fundraising targets, but the high debt requires new efforts to balance the accounts.
Monitoring players trained in Cotia, like Antony, is a consolidated practice. The club maintains a dedicated team to follow the international market, identifying profit opportunities with former athletes. This strategy also includes negotiations of young promises, like Welington and Patryck, who attract interest from European clubs.
- Current debt: R$ 968.2 million, with deficit of R$ 287.6 million in 2024.
- Sales target: R$ 155 million, surpassed in 2025 with direct transfers.
- Other cases: Profit with David Neres, Militão and Emerson Royal.
- Investment in youth: Cotia remains a source of talents and revenues.
Antony’s possible transfer is seen as a strategic reinforcement for Tricolor’s plans in 2025.
Market repercussion and next steps
The movement around Antony also reflects the heating up of the international market. The interest from Saudi clubs, supported by PIF, demonstrates the country’s financial power in attracting players still in productive phase. For São Paulo, the outcome of the negotiation is a matter of patience, as the club has no direct influence, but can reap the fruits of any agreement.
Meanwhile, Tricolor continues to monitor other players trained in the youth, like Marquinhos and Brenner, who may also yield future revenues. The expectation is that the summer transfer market in Europe, which closes in August, will bring news about Antony’s future.
- Market deadline: European window closes on August 31, 2025.
- Saudi clubs: Al-Nassr and others from PIF lead the proposals.
- European alternatives: Betis tries to make new deal with United viable.
- Impact on São Paulo: Potential revenue without operational costs.
Antony’s future remains uncertain, but every step in the market is closely followed by São Paulo, which sees in the attacker a chance to strengthen its finances.
