La Liga side Real Betis are leading the chase to sign Manchester United winger Antony on loan for the rest of the season.

The Brazilian has failed to come close to justifying his status as the second most expensive player in United’s history.

Antony cost £81.3m when United signed him in August 2022. He has since scored 12 goals, three of which came in his first three Premier League games.

The 24-year-old has scored one Premier League goal since April 2023 and his opportunities in the first team have dwindled – from 23 league starts in his first year to 15 last season and none during the current campaign.

Antony has featured in just 13 of United’s 32 games in all competitions this season.

Against Southampton on Thursday, he failed to convert a glorious opportunity when sliding onto an Alejandro Garnacho cross – managing to turn the ball back to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale even though he had an empty goal to aim at.

A number of clubs have inquired about Antony, with United realising they will have to subsidise his wages.

Talks with Betis, who are 11th in La Liga and facing a Conference League play-off against Belgian side Gent next month, are most advanced, with the club hopeful of concluding a deal, though nothing is agreed.