Antony Reveals Bayern Munich’s Last-Minute Transfer Bid: Why He Chose Happiness at Real Betis Over European Giants

In a revealing interview that has captured the attention of football fans worldwide, Brazilian winger Antony has disclosed the dramatic final hours of the summer transfer window when Bayern Munich made an unexpected last-minute attempt to sign him. The former Manchester United player admitted that Vincent Kompany personally called him to convince him of a move to the Bundesliga giants, a conversation that took place around 11pm and left him genuinely conflicted about his future.

Speaking candidly to Brazilian sports portal Globo Esporte, Antony revealed the emotional turmoil he experienced when one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs came calling just as he was finalizing his permanent move to Real Betis. His ultimate decision to honor his commitment to the Seville-based club, despite the allure of Bayern Munich, speaks volumes about loyalty, family priorities, and finding genuine happiness in football.

The Dramatic 11th Hour Phone Call That Shook Antony

The conversation between Kompany and Antony occurred during the final 24 hours of the summer transfer window, with the Bayern manager reaching out around 11pm to personally pitch his vision for the Brazilian winger. For Antony, who had spent months working toward a permanent reunion with Real Betis after a successful loan spell, the timing couldn’t have been more challenging.

“I’m going to be completely honest. It really shook me up,” Antony admitted during his interview. The 25-year-old went on to explain the magnitude of receiving such a call: “We’re talking about a global giant, Bayern Munich, where a coach with that kind of history, Kompany, calls me. And we have a conversation there, he was super polite to me, said he always really liked my football“.

The personal touch from Kompany demonstrated Bayern’s serious intent. Rather than leaving negotiations solely to sporting directors and agents, the Belgian manager took it upon himself to make a direct appeal to the player. This approach highlighted both the respect Kompany had for Antony’s abilities and the urgency with which Bayern was operating to strengthen their squad before the window closed.

Why Bayern Munich Wanted Antony

Bayern Munich’s interest in Antony wasn’t random or impulsive. The Bavarian giants had lost both Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman during the summer, to Galatasaray and Al-Nassr respectively, making a winger an area for the recruitment department to target. These departures left significant gaps in Bayern’s attacking options that required immediate addressing.

Antony’s impressive statistics of 14 goals and assists for Betis in 26 La Liga and Conference League appearances prompted Bayern boss Vincent Kompany to personally get in touch. This production represented a remarkable career revival for a player who had struggled significantly during his time at Manchester United.

During his half-season loan at Real Betis from January to May 2025, Antony had rediscovered the form that once made him one of European football’s most exciting young talents. His performances in Spain’s top flight reminded scouts and managers across Europe why Ajax had commanded such a massive fee for his services back in 2022.

Bayern Munich, sitting six points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table only 10 games into the season under Kompany’s management, represented a genuine opportunity for virtually guaranteed silverware. The club’s dominance in German football, combined with their ambitions in the Champions League and DFB-Pokal, made them an extraordinarily attractive proposition for any player.

The Manchester United Nightmare: Context for the Decision

To fully appreciate Antony’s decision-making process, it’s essential to understand the context of his Manchester United experience. Antony joined Manchester United from Ajax in September 2022 for a transfer fee of €95 million (£82 million), with a further €5 million in add-ons, making it the third highest transfer fee ever paid by the club.

The Brazilian arrived at Old Trafford with enormous expectations, having impressed during his time at Ajax under the management of Erik ten Hag. He scored on his debut for Manchester United in a 3-1 home league victory over rivals Arsenal on September 4, 2022, and became the first United player to score in their first three consecutive Premier League games.

However, after that promising start, Antony’s United career quickly deteriorated. His playing time decreased dramatically, and his production plummeted. The winger’s one-dimensional style, heavily favoring his left foot and struggling to beat defenders on the outside, became predictable for Premier League opponents. By the time the 2024-25 season began under new manager Ruben Amorim, Antony had completely fallen out of favor and wasn’t even making matchday squads.

In January 2025, Antony was loaned out to Real Betis until the end of the 2024-25 season, making his debut on February 2 in a 2-2 draw with Athletic Bilbao, where he created Betis’ first goal and was named man of the match. This loan move would prove to be the catalyst for his career resurrection.

Real Betis: Where Antony Found Himself Again

The transformation Antony underwent at Real Betis represents one of the most dramatic career turnarounds in recent football history. From a player widely considered one of Manchester United’s worst-ever signings given his enormous transfer fee, he became a fan favorite in Seville and one of La Liga’s most productive attackers during the second half of the 2024-25 season.

The Spanish club provided Antony with exactly what he needed: confidence, playing time, tactical flexibility, and a supportive environment where he could rediscover his joy for football. The pressure and intense scrutiny that accompanied his every move at Old Trafford was replaced by a more measured, patient approach that allowed him to express himself freely on the pitch.

At Betis, Antony wasn’t burdened by an £86 million price tag or the constant comparisons to other elite wingers. He was simply a talented player given the opportunity to contribute to a team’s success without the crushing weight of impossible expectations. The results spoke for themselves as he consistently delivered match-winning performances that endeared him to the club’s passionate supporters.

The connection between player and club grew so strong during the loan period that both parties were determined to make the arrangement permanent, despite the financial complexities involved. For Antony, returning to Betis wasn’t just about football; it was about returning to a place where he felt valued, understood, and genuinely happy.

Family: The Deciding Factor in Antony’s Choice

While loyalty to Real Betis played a significant role in Antony’s decision, the Brazilian winger revealed that family considerations were ultimately decisive in his choice to reject Bayern Munich’s advances. “What weighed heavily on my decision was also my family,” Antony explained. “It’s about looking out for my children. Lorenzo loves this place, loves this city [Seville]. When we were on vacation in Brazil, without knowing anything, he always asked: ‘Dad, when are we going back to Spain?’“

This deeply personal revelation illustrates the human dimension of transfer decisions that often gets overlooked in football’s hyper-commercial environment. For Antony, uprooting his family once again, particularly his son Lorenzo who had fallen in love with Seville, was simply not worth it, regardless of the prestige or potential trophy haul Bayern Munich could offer.

The stability that Betis provided for his family after the turbulent Manchester United period proved invaluable. His children had settled into schools, made friends, and adapted to Spanish culture. The prospect of moving to Munich would have meant starting this process all over again, creating disruption just as they had finally found peace and happiness.

Professional footballers are often portrayed as mercenaries motivated solely by money, trophies, and personal glory. Antony’s decision challenges this narrative, demonstrating that for some players, family wellbeing and personal happiness genuinely take precedence over career advancement, at least when they’ve already achieved financial security.

Loyalty and Keeping His Word

Beyond family considerations, Antony emphasized the importance of loyalty and honoring his commitments. “I gave my word to Betis and I couldn’t betray them,” the winger stated emphatically when explaining his rejection of Bayern Munich. “Betis for me means happiness.”

This commitment to keeping his word, even when presented with a more glamorous alternative, speaks to Antony’s character and values. In modern football, where players routinely break agreements and force moves to bigger clubs, his decision to honor his commitment to Betis represents an increasingly rare display of loyalty.

The financial negotiations between Manchester United and Real Betis had been protracted and complex. For months, the two clubs had haggled over the transfer fee, with Betis initially preferring another loan arrangement to avoid paying a significant lump sum. Throughout these difficult negotiations, Antony remained patient and committed to the outcome, never using Bayern’s interest as leverage to extract better terms or explore alternative options.

When Kompany’s call came through during those final 24 hours, Antony had already given his word to Betis that he would return. Despite the temptation and the undeniable appeal of joining one of Europe’s elite clubs, he refused to back out of his commitment. This loyalty was reciprocated by Betis, who eventually agreed to Manchester United’s terms and completed the permanent transfer on September 1, 2025.

Vincent Kompany’s Personal Touch and Bayern’s Strategy

Vincent Kompany’s decision to personally contact Antony during the final hours of the transfer window reveals interesting insights into Bayern Munich’s transfer strategy and the Belgian manager’s hands-on approach to recruitment. Rather than delegating communication entirely to sporting directors and agents, Kompany took direct responsibility for convincing the player.

This personal touch likely reflects lessons learned from Kompany’s own playing career, during which he experienced the impact that manager-player relationships can have on transfer decisions. As a legendary captain at Manchester City, Kompany understood the importance of personal connections and direct communication in building successful teams.

For Bayern Munich, this last-minute attempt to sign Antony suggests either that other primary targets had fallen through or that they had been monitoring his situation throughout the window and only decided to act when his permanent move to Betis became imminent. The timing indicates a degree of opportunism, with Bayern perhaps hoping that the prestige of their club and Kompany’s persuasive abilities could sway Antony at the eleventh hour.

The fact that Kompany emphasized his admiration for Antony’s game and took the time for an extended conversation demonstrates genuine interest rather than a desperate scramble for any available winger. This targeted approach, even if ultimately unsuccessful, shows Bayern’s sophisticated recruitment methods and willingness to pursue opportunities right up until the transfer deadline.

Antony’s Excellent Start to the 2025-26 Season

Antony’s decision to choose happiness over prestige has been thoroughly vindicated by his performances during the 2025-26 season. The Brazilian has continued the excellent form he showed during his loan spell, establishing himself as one of Real Betis’s most important players and confirming that his career revival wasn’t a temporary phenomenon.

In 11 appearances across all competitions this season, Antony has already contributed six goals and two assists, maintaining the impressive production rate that attracted Bayern Munich’s attention in the first place. His current output of 0.73 goals and assists per game represents career-best form and demonstrates that he has found the perfect environment to maximize his considerable talents.

On September 24, shortly after completing his permanent transfer, Antony delivered a man-of-the-match performance in the UEFA Europa League against Nottingham Forest, providing both a goal and a last-minute equalizer assist. This display on the European stage showcased his ability to perform in high-pressure situations and justified Betis’s investment in making his transfer permanent.

On October 18, Antony scored his first league goals since his permanent move when he netted a brace in a 2-2 draw at Villarreal. These performances have made him a fan favorite at the Villamarin Stadium and vindicated the club’s decision to prioritize keeping him over pursuing alternative targets.

The Financial Complexities: How the Deal Got Done

While Antony’s emotional journey captures the headlines, the financial mechanics that enabled his permanent transfer to Real Betis reveal the complex realities of modern football economics. Manchester United had initially purchased Antony for £86 million, making him one of the most expensive signings in club history. Recovering even a fraction of that investment was crucial for United’s financial planning and compliance with profit and sustainability regulations.

Real Betis, operating with a significantly smaller budget than Europe’s wealthiest clubs, initially struggled to meet Manchester United’s asking price. The Spanish club had preferred another loan arrangement with an option to buy, hoping to spread the financial burden across multiple seasons and avoid a significant immediate outlay.

However, United’s position hardened as the transfer window progressed. With new manager Ruben Amorim making clear that Antony had no future at Old Trafford and with the player himself determined to return to Betis, United needed to secure a permanent sale to remove his wages from the books and free up resources for other targets.

The final agreement represented a compromise between both clubs’ positions, with Betis ultimately committing to a permanent transfer on terms that worked within their budget constraints while providing United with the closure they needed on an expensive mistake. The exact fee has not been publicly disclosed, but reports suggest it was significantly less than the £86 million United paid, resulting in a substantial loss on their investment.

What This Means for Bayern Munich’s Transfer Strategy

Bayern Munich’s failure to sign Antony, despite Vincent Kompany’s personal intervention, raises questions about the club’s transfer planning and decision-making processes. Making a move for a player in the final 24 hours of the window suggests either inadequate preparation or unexpected complications with primary targets.

The Bundesliga giants have traditionally operated with meticulous planning and rarely find themselves scrambling for last-minute additions. The departures of Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman should have been anticipated, allowing Bayern sufficient time to identify and pursue suitable replacements throughout the window rather than attempting eleventh-hour interventions.

However, Bayern’s interest in Antony also demonstrates their willingness to adapt and pursue opportunities as they arise. Even though the approach ultimately failed, it shows that the club maintains flexibility in its recruitment strategy and isn’t so rigidly committed to predetermined targets that it ignores emerging options.

Given Antony’s excellent form this season, Bayern Munich could potentially revisit their interest in future transfer windows. The player has now demonstrated over an extended period that his success at Betis wasn’t merely a purple patch but rather a genuine return to the form that once made him one of Europe’s most highly rated young wingers.

The Broader Context: Player Happiness vs. Trophy Collection

Antony’s decision to prioritize happiness at Real Betis over potential silverware at Bayern Munich contributes to an important ongoing conversation in football about what constitutes career success. The traditional narrative emphasizes trophy accumulation, playing for the biggest clubs, and maximizing earning potential as the primary markers of a successful career.

However, an increasing number of players are challenging this framework, recognizing that mental health, family stability, and genuine enjoyment of their profession are equally valid measures of success. Antony’s choice reflects this evolving perspective, particularly among players who have already achieved financial security and experienced the pressures that come with playing for football’s mega-clubs.

Playing for Bayern Munich would have virtually guaranteed Antony multiple Bundesliga titles and deep runs in European competitions. The club’s dominance in German football and Kompany’s impressive start as manager suggested that silverware would flow freely for anyone joining the squad.

Yet Antony’s experience at Manchester United had taught him that trophies and prestige don’t automatically translate to personal fulfillment. Despite winning the EFL Cup during his United tenure and experiencing the grandeur of playing at Old Trafford, he was fundamentally unhappy, unable to perform to his capabilities, and increasingly isolated from the team’s plans.

At Betis, even without the guarantee of major honors, Antony has found something more valuable: the ability to express himself freely on the pitch, support from teammates and coaches who believe in his abilities, and a quality of life off the field that allows him to be present for his family.

Lessons for Football’s Transfer Market

Antony’s story offers several important lessons for clubs, players, and agents navigating football’s complex transfer market. First, it demonstrates that overpaying for players based on short-term performances or limited sample sizes can lead to catastrophic failures, as Manchester United discovered with their £86 million investment.

Second, it shows that player rehabilitation and career revivals are possible when clubs provide the right environment. Real Betis didn’t change Antony fundamentally as a player; they simply created conditions where his existing talents could flourish without the crushing pressure that had paralyzed him at Manchester United.

Third, it illustrates that player loyalty and commitment to clubs still exist in modern football, even if such values sometimes seem anachronistic. Despite Bayern Munich’s prestige and Kompany’s persuasive abilities, Antony chose to honor his word to a club that believed in him during difficult times.

Fourth, it highlights the importance of personal relationships and direct communication in transfer negotiations. Kompany’s willingness to personally contact Antony, rather than leaving everything to intermediaries, nearly succeeded in changing the player’s mind despite his prior commitments.

Finally, it reminds everyone involved in football that players are human beings with families, emotions, and priorities beyond simply maximizing their trophy cabinets and bank accounts. Recognition of these human dimensions can lead to better decision-making and more sustainable career trajectories.

The Road Ahead: Antony’s Future Prospects

At 25 years old, Antony still has his peak years ahead of him. His performances at Real Betis have demonstrated that he possesses elite-level talent when deployed in the right system and supported by the right environment. The question now is whether he can sustain this form over multiple seasons and potentially earn another opportunity at one of Europe’s super clubs.

If Antony continues producing at his current rate, interest from bigger clubs will inevitably resurface. Bayern Munich may return with another approach, or other Champions League-caliber clubs could enter the conversation. However, any future transfer will need to account for the lessons learned from both his Manchester United disaster and his Betis renaissance.

For now, Antony appears content to continue building his career in Seville, contributing to Real Betis’s ambitions in La Liga and the Europa League. The club qualified for European competition thanks in large part to his contributions last season, and they will rely heavily on his creativity and goals as they compete on multiple fronts this campaign.

Whether Antony eventually returns to one of football’s giant clubs or continues his career at Betis, his decision to prioritize happiness over prestige during the summer of 2025 will remain a defining moment. It represents a player who learned from painful experience what truly matters, had the courage to turn down a glamorous opportunity when it didn’t align with his values, and chose fulfillment over fleeting glory.

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