Real Betis is making headlines as they actively pursue Manchester United outcast Tyrell Malacia following their recent loan acquisition of Antony. The Spanish side hopes to strengthen their squad by adding another Red Devils player to their roster before the transfer window closes.
Malacia's potential move to Betis is seen as both timely and necessary. He has found it challenging to secure game time at Manchester United, with only seven appearances this season. His limited opportunities stem largely from his long recovery from a serious knee injury, which kept him sidelined for 500 days prior to his return to the pitch last December.
Antony, the Brazilian winger, was the first to depart from Manchester United, having completed his loan move to Real Betis last week. Antony’s time at Old Trafford was tumultuous, joining the club for €95 million in 2022 but failing to meet the high expectations set upon him. His impressive goal tally of just 12 from 96 appearances illustrated his struggles, making his loan move, as well as Malacia's potential transfer, timely for Benita.
According to Antony, the decision was welcomed with open arms: “Very happy to be here, thanks very much for everything. I am very eager to take the shirt and help the team.” His arrival is expected to revitalize his career, and now there's hope Malacia could see similar fortunes at Betis.
Manager Ruben Amorim's side is currently 10th in La Liga, with ambitions of climbing the ranks and restoring their earlier season momentum. The pursuit of Malacia appears to be connected to broader strategic plans, as Manchester United is eager to bring in new players, including Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu, which would significantly hinder Malacia's chances of playing time.
Malacia himself recently expressed readiness to contribute after overcoming his injury struggles. He stated, “I’m always prepared. I always want to play good games, so it doesn’t matter against who. I feel sharp and I feel ready. All I want to do is to play football. It’s been a long time so I’m happy to be back.” His words signal his determination to regain consistency and contribute meaningfully.
Real Betis is not alone in their interest for Malacia, as there are several clubs eyeing the Dutch defender. The list of teams includes Juventus and Como, both of whom have reportedly made inquiries. Despite this interest, Malacia's future hangs precariously as the January transfer window inches closer to its conclusion on February 3, 2025.
The urgency for Betis to finalize this signing grows, not only due to Malacia's potential availability but also because they would need to offload players such as Iker Losada or Juanmi to finalize the deal. Also, it should be noted, Malacia was reportedly offered late during the Antony negotiations, highlighting the mutual interests between the clubs.
Meanwhile, Manchester United is preparing for what could be a busy end to the transfer window. The club has toyed with ideas of offloading some of their less utilized players, with Casemiro linked for a loan exit to Roma. Alejandro Garnacho has also piqued interest from Chelsea and Napoli. The future of Marcus Rashford remains uncertain as well, with clubs such as Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund contemplating moves, but hurdles include Rashford's significant wage demands, reported to exceed £300,000 per week.
Overall, the developments signify real movement and change at Manchester United, signalling both the club's intent to reconfigure their squad and Real Betis' ambitions to rise back up the La Liga standings. If everything goes according to plan, Malacia's switch could open the door to revitalization for both the player and the Spanish club, paralleling Antony’s hopes for renewed success abroad.