Manchester United’s decision to loan Antony out in January has changed the trajectory of the Brazilian’s career.
Before Antony joined Real Betis, he was not getting a look-in at Old Trafford.
This was due to two and a half seasons of underperformance, in which Manchester United had gained a pretty clear idea that he was not cut out for Premier League football.
However, Antony turned La Liga into his own playground as he scored world-class goals week in and week out.
Ruben Amorim suggested Antony was better suited to Spain, with less physicality and a slower tempo allowing him extra time and space to get onto his favoured left foot.
No matter the reason, Antony was unstoppable for Betis, and they have made it their number one priority to bring him back for the 2025-26 season. However, with a price tag above their budget, Betis have been exploring unique deals to sign the Brazilian international.
Now, they are beginning to face competition.
Antony controls the ball in the air for Real Betis.
Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images
Como join the race to sign Antony from Manchester United
Betis have offered United a ‘shared’ deal for Antony, which would see them purchase a percentage of the player every year, while United hold a sell-on clause, which would decrease yearly as the La Liga side pays for the player. United are asking for €40m (£34m) to sell Antony this summer.
However, discussions on this kind of deal will take time, and that has given other clubs the chance to step in. Now, speaking on his ‘Fabrizio Romano in Italiano’ YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has outlined interest from Serie A side Como in Antony.
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“Como have recently tried to sign Antony,” Romano explains. “The winger who did very well on loan at Real Betis from Manchester United.
“Como made a strong push; they have presented their project, and they’re speaking with people close to the player.”
Continuing, Romano did pour some water onto this transfer, insisting that Antony wants to remain in Spain if possible.
“However, for now, Antony prefers a return to Spain, particularly to Betis, where he felt good. It’s still early in the window (we’re only in June), but for now, Antony is not open to Como.”
It is no shock that he wants to remain in Spain, with Antony becoming a hero for Betis supporters during his brief four months in Seville.
How much Manchester United need to sell Antony for to see PSR profit
Como’s interest will be a huge positive for Ineos, with the Serie A side looking to spend this summer to hand Cesc Fabregas a competitive team.
This means they would absolutely pay the £34m demands United have placed on Antony. £34m would be enough for United to see a small profit on its book value in PSR terms.
Having signed for roughly £81m, we can assume that with his five-year contract, Antony’s book value per year is worth £16.3m. So with two years left on his contract, his value is £32.6m.
‘Profit’ on Antony would have been unthinkable six months ago, but to get £34m for his performances over the past half season would be remarkable, and see United able to move on from a signing which will always be considered a disaster.
Antony will go and be successful in either Serie A or La Liga, but there should be no revisionism, because he just is not suited to the Premier League, which is fine, but it’s time to move on.