Fabrizio Romano confirms the unexpected fresh Antony inquiry as the Manchester United outcast selects his next team.

After a surprising Serie A team approached for the services of undesired winger Antony, Manchester United's ambitions of starting a bidding war over him are gaining momentum.

Fabrizio Romano has also made it clear where the Brazilian sees himself next season.

The 16-time Brazil captain hardly ever gave the Manchester United supporters any proof of why Erik ten Hag had persuaded the board to pay the second-highest sum in the club's history for the winger when he went from Ajax in the summer of 2022.

It was not surprising when the Red Devils let him go after he had a dismal return of 17 goal contributions (12 goals, five assists) in 96 appearances.

He spent the final half of the 2024–25 season on loan at Real Betis.

However, the player's confidence was greatly boosted by the move to La Liga, and Antony found a manager in Manuel Pellegrini who could bring his hidden brilliance to light. 

With 14 goals in just 26 games for the Andalusian team, he helped lead Los Verdiblancos to a sixth-place finish in La Liga, which earned them a spot in the Europa League, and the Conference League final, where they were defeated by Chelsea.

It is therefore simple to understand why Pellegrini and Co. are hoping to make his loan swap a long-term agreement.

Any trade won't be easy, though, as other suitors are apparently thinking about making their own approaches. 

From what we gather, Brentford and Aston Villa are among the Premier League teams interested. 

A transfer to rejoin him with his former mentor has also been linked to Bayer Leverkusen, which is currently managed by Ten Hag. Romano has now disclosed that Como has made enquiries in recent days.

The aspirational Serie A team may have a difficult time persuading him to reconsider, though, as the transfer insider discloses. 

"Italian team Como has attempted to sign Antony in recent days, but the Brazilian winger is prioritising his return to Real Betis," Romano said on X. 

"With no club-to-club agreement yet, Man United is also aware of Antony's desire to stay at Betis for the upcoming season."

As an unexpected Man Utd departure approaches, Antony expresses his feelings.

Antony is so eager to return to Estadio Benito Villamarin that he is prepared to accept a large pay reduction in order to do it. 

The La Liga team, which has one of the lowest budgets in the top division of Spain, will find it difficult to negotiate any such agreement. 

In fact, their own record signing still remains at the €30 million (£21.5 million) they paid for Denilson, another Brazilian, back in 1998—a world-record price at the time.

They have only ever spent more than €20 million on a player three times in their history: Denilson, Giovanni Lo Celso (€22 million) from PSG, and Borja Ingelsias (€28 million) from Espanyol. This gives you an indication of the constraints they operate under.

However, earlier this week, there were rumours that they had put out a unique transfer formula in an attempt to meet United's valuation and work around any possible flaws. 

According to those reports, Betis is believed to have put forward a plan that would see them pay just £17 million (€20 million, $23 million) to become "part-owners of the player" after the two clubs reportedly held what are described as productive talks. 

The plan calls for increasing the player's ownership, which was initially set at 50%, by an additional 12.5% year for four years, until full ownership is attained.

In any case, Antony's admission that he "hit rock bottom at Old Trafford" makes it doubtful that he will remain at United past the summer.

He claimed, "I began to doubt, even in myself." However, my family has always advised me to maintain my composure because the process is unpleasant and people have to accept it.

After everything I've been through, I now have a greater understanding of it. I am appreciative of that encounter. 

He continued, "I am very happy here, but I do not know what will happen in the future," regarding his time with Betis. 

As I usually say, I love every day—the club, the city, everything—and I give the team my all. Talking about my future is still premature.

"I believe that getting back in touch with myself was the most crucial step in helping me restore my confidence. 

I'm pleased and more self-assured every day since I found that here. 

Additionally, Pellegrini acknowledged that he expects to use Antony once more in the upcoming campaign. 

Pellegrini remarked, "I see Antony very involved in the team, in the group, in the institution."

"If he stayed, we would all be happy, but we must now concentrate on the here and now.

Latest Manchester United transfer: Monster striker consents to move; Mbeumo worries increase

United still has a chance to recruit Dusan Vlahovic this summer, but they will need to move quickly to persuade the Juventus star to join the Premier League after it was reported that the Serbian made it known he intended to join a surprise team instead. 

Instead, talkSPORT host Alan Brazil is urging the Red Devils to make a bold move and recruit a Serie A alternative, citing his belief that the possibility exists.

Finally, when Romano disclosed Thomas Frank's brilliant idea to reunite with the Brentford star at Tottenham Hotspur, it is more likely than ever that terrible news may be lurking over a deal for Bryan Mbeumo.

IN FOCUS: Antony's Real Betis chronology

January 25: Antony seals a loan deal with Real Betis for the remainder of the season. 

➡️ February 2: In a 2-2 draw with Athletic Club, Antony makes his Real Betis debut and wins player of the match. 

February 9: Antony wins player of the match for the second straight game after scoring his first goal for Real Betis against Celta de Vigo.

➡️ February 13: With an unconventional goal, Antony leads Real Betis to a Conference League victory over Gent.

February 16: Real Sociedad is defeated 3-0 thanks to a goal and an assist from Antony. February 19: Antony has been nominated for La Liga's Player of the Month award. 

➡️ February 23: Antony receives his first red card of his Real Betis tenure towards the end of a match in which he assisted against Getafe; nevertheless, it is revoked on appeal three days later. 

➡️ March 1: For the first time in five years, Real Betis defeats Real Madrid, and Antony plays the full ninety minutes. 

➡️ March 13: With a goal and an assist in the second leg, Real Betis defeated Vitoria de Guimaraes to advance to the Conference League quarterfinals.

➡️ April 21: In a victory over Girona, Antony gets his first La Liga goal in more than two months.

➡️ May 4: At Espanyol, Antony gives Betis the victory in extra time.

➡️ May 8: To advance Betis to the final matchup with Chelsea, Antony scores and assists in the second leg of the Conference League semi-final matchup against Fiorentina, one week after he scored in the first leg.

➡️ May 23: On the final day of the La Liga season, Antony scores to help Betis finish sixth.

➡️ May 28: Betis loses to Chelsea in the Conference League final, and Antony starts. With 26 games, nine goals, and five assists, it concludes his loan period.